Main Street Independent

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US Immigration Enforcement Crackdown

Mass deportation operations, ICE raids in sanctuary cities, detention expansion, and the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis

Congress sends Trump nearly $70B to fund deportation agenda

Illustration accompanying article: Congress sends Trump nearly $70B to fund deportation agenda
  • The Senate approved a nearly $70 billion DHS funding package early Friday with few restrictions, sending the bill to the House to fund President Trump's deportation operations.
  • Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called the bill a "rotten bill," and immigrant-advocacy groups described it as an "ATM for ICE."
  • The new funding builds on roughly $170 billion Congress already allocated to DHS last year as part of Trump's tax bill.
  • Supporters of the measure said it guarantees uninterrupted resources for the administration's goal of the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history.
 4 MIN READ

Nine wild mustangs captured in North Carolina; one remains loose

Illustration accompanying article: Nine wild mustangs captured in North Carolina; one remains loose
  • Iredell County Animal Services has captured nine of the 10 wild mustangs that escaped from a property on May 11, officials said in a June 4 update.
  • Animal Services has not received any reports of the tenth horse since the initial escape, according to the officials' news release.
  • A local nonprofit assisting with the effort said the horses were likely purchased from the Bureau of Land Management in Monroe, which sells wild horses for $25 each to qualified owners.
  • The owner of the horses, who has not been identified, will be charged with failing to properly secure the animals and failing to cooperate with capture efforts, officials said.
 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Unlawful firings leave federal workers with PTSD-like symptoms, survey finds

McGurn's Fictional Mob: The WSJ's Cover for ICE Violence

2026-06-03

William McGurn turned his *Wall Street Journal* "Main Street" column over this week to a simple operation: construct a violent mob from a few scattered facts, pin the blame on the governor who tried to contain the violence, and sweep the federal agency at the center of the protests out of the story almost entirely.

The WSJ's Protester-Props Distraction Play

2026-05-27

William McGurn's Tuesday column for the *Wall Street Journal*, "Mikie Sherrill Wrongfully Blames ICE," is a blame-redirecting institutional defense — an annotated specimen in the genre we operators used to call "loading the dock with the crowd's gear." The piece asks the reader to accept a simple reversal: the federal agents whose operations have produced at least eight deaths in the first month o...

Minnesota charges ICE officer with assault in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-19

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Monday charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

Autopsy confirms Arizona ICE detainee's death linked to dental problems

2026-05-19

An autopsy report released Monday confirmed that the death of Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man who died after spending months at an Arizona immigration detention facility, was related to his severe dental problems, while also noting that he declined recommendations to have his problematic teeth removed.

Man arrested day after judge bans ICE arrests at NYC immigration courts

2026-05-19

A federal judge barred ICE agents from routinely arresting people attending immigration court proceedings in New York City, ruling that appearing for a hearing should not carry the risk of detention. A day after the order, a 21-year-old man was arrested inside a federal building covered by the ruling, raising questions about compliance.

Trump order pushes banks to check customers' citizenship status

2026-05-19

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing banks and regulators to look for signs that customers without legal status are opening accounts or obtaining credit. The order, announced Tuesday, frames the move as a way to prevent credit and financial-system risks tied to customers who could be deported.

Minnesota charges ICE agent in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-19

Hennepin County prosecutors announced charges Monday against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the Jan. 14, nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

Iranian family linked to 1979 hostage crisis seeks release from detention

2026-05-19

An Iranian family detained in immigration custody in Texas is seeking release after U.S. authorities arrested them in Los Angeles over their familial ties to Masoumeh Ebtekar, known during the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis as “Sister Mary.” A federal judge temporarily barred deportation after the family filed petitions challenging the legality of their detention.

Judge bars most ICE arrests at NYC immigration courts; man detained

2026-05-19

A federal judge in New York barred federal agents from routinely detaining people who arrive for proceedings at the city’s immigration courts, saying they should not face arrest to pursue asylum or attend deportation hearings. A day after the ruling, immigrant advocates said a 21-year-old man was arrested in a Manhattan federal building covered by the court order.

Iranian family detained over 1979 hostage crisis link demands release

2026-05-19

An Iranian family living in the United States for a decade is demanding release from immigration detention after being arrested because of their relation to Masoumeh Ebtekar, a central figure in the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in April he was revoking the family's green cards over their ties to Ebtekar, and a federal judge has temporarily barred the government from deporting them.

Autopsy links Arizona ICE detainee Emmanuel Damas’ death to dental issues

2026-05-19

An autopsy report released Monday said the death of Haitian man Emmanuel Damas after months in an Arizona immigration detention facility was related to his dental problems, following a claim by his family. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office said Damas died from complications of a chest infection with abscesses in his neck and throat and that his severe dental problems were part of the cause.

Connecticut sued over law banning masks, requiring ID for ICE agents

2026-05-19

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Connecticut and Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong over a new state law that bans federal immigration enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty and requires them to display identification. The lawsuit, filed Friday, argues the law conflicts with federal authority under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

Autopsy links Haitian detainee’s Arizona death to severe dental problems

2026-05-18

PHOENIX (AP) — An autopsy report released this week found that the death of a Haitian man detained for months at an Arizona immigration detention facility was related to his dental problems, which prosecutors said began with tooth pain that progressed to a serious infection. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded Emmanuel Damas died from complications of a chest infection with abscesses in his neck and throat.

Judge bans most ICE arrests near New York immigration courts, then arrest follows

2026-05-18

A federal judge in New York barred U.S. immigration agents from routinely detaining people who arrive to attend proceedings at immigration courts in Manhattan. A day after the ruling, a 21-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in a federal building covered by the court order, according to immigrant-rights advocates. The judge said the government has an interest in enforcing immigration laws but also a serious interest in letting people attend hearings without fear of arrest.

Minnesota charges ICE agent with assault in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-18

A Minnesota county prosecutor announced charges Monday against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The officer, Christian Castro, was charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the Jan. 14 incident, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. Castro, 52, was not in custody, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Woman shot by Border Patrol agent pleads guilty to illegal entry

2026-05-18

A woman shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty to illegally entering the United States and was sentenced to one year of probation. Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras appeared by video from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, for the federal court hearing in Portland in January. She will not serve time in prison but will have location monitoring and nighttime curfew requirements during her probation, according to court records.

Families protest Texas detention of 5-year-old boy and father

2026-05-18

Immigrant families protested Saturday at a Texas detention facility where a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father are being held after their detention in Minnesota this week. Dozens of families gathered at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, holding signs reading 'Libertad para los niños'—'Liberty for the kids'—and calling for freedom for children, according to aerial photographs obtained by the Associated Press.

ICE memo authorizes forced entry to homes without judicial warrants

2026-05-18

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has authorized agents to force entry into homes and arrest immigrants using only administrative warrants, bypassing the judicial oversight required by the Fourth Amendment, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press. The May 12, 2025 memorandum, signed by interim ICE Director Todd Lyons, represents a dramatic departure from longstanding policy that has guided immigration enforcement for years. Immigrant advocacy groups, legal aid organizations, and local governments have for years advised immigrants not to open doors to immigration agents without a court-ordered warrant signed by a judge. The policy shift comes as the Trump administration has dramatically escalated immigration enforcement, deploying thousands of additional agents in what it describes as a campaign for mass deportation.

Judge refuses to block DHS policy on Congressional ICE visits

2026-05-18

A federal judge Monday refused to block a Department of Homeland Security policy requiring members of Congress to provide a week's notice before visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The decision came after three Democratic representatives from Minnesota — Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig — were turned away from an ICE facility near Minneapolis early this month, three days after an ICE officer shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee Good in the city.

Video contradicts federal account of Minneapolis nurse's death

2026-05-18

In January, Border Patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Trump administration officials quickly characterized Pretti as an armed threat intent on harming agents. But bystander video obtained by The Associated Press contradicts key elements of that account.

Border wall construction desecrates sacred Indigenous sites, tribal leaders say

2026-05-17

Federal contractors are blasting and bulldozing Native American sacred sites — including a mountain revered by the Kumeyaay Nation, a 1,000-year-old geoglyph in Arizona, and a shrine atop a New Mexico peak — as the Trump administration accelerates border wall construction under waivers of environmental and cultural laws, tribal leaders and government records show.

Indigenous leaders decry US border-wall work desecrating sacred sites

2026-05-17

Indigenous leaders on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border say federal contractors blasting and bulldozing for new border-wall sections have damaged or desecrated sacred and cultural sites, including Kuuchamaa Mountain in California. The Associated Press reported that the construction has accelerated after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security waived cultural and environmental laws.

Costa Rica receives second group of US deportees under Trump agreement

2026-05-17

Costa Rica received a second group of migrants deported from the United States in April under a bilateral agreement negotiated by the Trump administration. The group of 30 deportees included eight Costa Ricans, eight Brazilians, three Romanians, and nationals from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, China, Ireland, India, Vietnam, and Belarus.

Montana mechanic walks free after more than 100 days in jail on immigration charges

2026-05-16

A federal judge ordered the immediate release of Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented diesel mechanic from Froid, Montana, on May 14, ruling that his detention of more than 100 days without bond violated his right to due process. Orozco-Ramirez walked out of the Cascade County Detention Center the next morning, embraced his son and began the drive home to the small town whose residents had raised tens of thousands of dollars for his legal defense.

ICE releases wife of US Army sergeant from federal custody in Texas

2026-05-16

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant has been released from federal immigration custody after spending about a month in detention, the Department of Homeland Security said. Deisy Rivera Ortega was detained after an April 14 appointment with immigration services, according to her husband. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she contacted the Homeland Security secretary after learning of Rivera Ortega’s case and that the woman returned home Thursday evening.

Trump administration sues Catholic diocese to seize land for border barrier

2026-05-16

The Trump administration has sued a Catholic diocese in New Mexico to seize 14 acres near El Paso, aiming to build border barriers at the base of Mount Cristo Rey, a mountain that draws thousands to an annual pilgrimage. The diocese says the plan violates its First Amendment right to religious expression, warning that barriers would damage the site’s religious and cultural sanctity.

Montana mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez freed after judge rules detention unlawful

2026-05-16

A federal judge ordered that a Montana diesel mechanic held on immigration charges be released from jail, ruling that his continued detention was unlawful. On Thursday morning, Roberto Orozco-Ramirez walked out of the Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls and embraced his oldest son after more than 100 days behind bars.

Federal judge orders US to bring back Colombian woman deported to Congo

2026-05-15

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to return a Colombian woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ruling that her deportation there was likely illegal after the Congolese government refused to accept her because it could not provide adequate medical care.

ICE detains Joe Ceballos, former Kansas mayor, over illegal voting as non-citizen

2026-05-15

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Joe Ceballos, the former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, at a federal office in Wichita on Wednesday, after he admitted voting illegally in prior elections despite being a Mexican-born legal permanent resident. Ceballos, 55, resigned as mayor in December and pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor election misconduct, but his attorney said the conviction should not have triggered immigration action. Supporters gathered outside, chanting '¡Dejen ir a Joe!' as he entered, while his lawyer argued the Trump administration was pursuing a 'nonsense' deportation case.

Texas town’s housing authority bungled immigrant-eviction message

2026-05-15

PORT ISABEL, Texas — A housing authority in Port Isabel sent a letter in February warning residents that the Trump administration would require proof of legal status within 30 days or face eviction, prompting a rapid exodus from public housing. The authority later sent a “clarification” saying such proof was not required, but half the residents had already left by the end of the month.

Federal court building flashpoint in NYC Democratic primary

2026-05-15

A federal immigration court in Lower Manhattan at 26 Federal Plaza has become a symbol of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign in New York City, with migrants and federal agents repeatedly colliding in and around the courtroom. Now, the building is also a backdrop to a high-stakes Democratic primary between U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and former city Comptroller Brad Lander.

ICE detiene a exalcalde de Kansas que votó pese a no ser ciudadano

2026-05-15

Las autoridades de inmigración de Estados Unidos detuvieron el miércoles a Joe Ceballos, exalcalde de una localidad de Kansas, después de que reconociera haber votado en elecciones pese a no ser ciudadano. Ceballos, residente permanente legal nacido en México, fue detenido en Wichita, Kansas, informó su abogado. Dijo a reporteros que teme que lo deporten.

Border Patrol chief Michael Banks resigns after DHS leadership change

2026-05-15

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his resignation Thursday, effective immediately, in the latest shake-up of officials overseeing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the decision, while the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Federal judge orders Trump to return Colombian woman deported to Congo

2026-05-15

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back a Colombian woman who was deported to Congo even after the Congolese government said it could not accept her because of medical needs. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled Wednesday that the deportation of Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata was “likely illegal,” and he set deadlines for the government to report on its efforts.

U.S. deportations to El Salvador nearly double as Bukele aligns with Trump

2026-05-14

The number of people deported from the United States to El Salvador nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026, according to migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press, as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has positioned himself as an ally to the Trump administration on immigration. Official data shows 5,033 Salvadorans were returned to the country in the first three months of 2026, compared with 2,547 in the same period in 2025.

Four Memphis residents sue Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force, alleging First Amendment violations

2026-05-14

Four Memphis residents filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, accusing the Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force of systematically harassing, arresting, and physically mistreating them for exercising their First Amendment rights to observe and record law enforcement activity in public. The task force, staffed by agents from 13 federal agencies as well as Tennessee State Troopers and the National Guard, has conducted over 120,000 traffic stops and more than 9,000 arrests in Memphis since late September.

ICE detains former Coldwater mayor after guilty plea for voting as noncitizen

2026-05-14

Joe Ceballos, the former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election conduct for voting in elections as a noncitizen, his attorney said. Ceballos, 55, is a legal permanent resident who was brought to the United States from Mexico as a child and now faces potential deportation.

Dominican opposition criticizes deal with US to take third-country deportees

2026-05-14

Dominican opposition figures on Wednesday sharply criticized a newly signed agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic that would allow the Caribbean nation to temporarily host third-country deportees before their return home, calling it a surrender of national sovereignty. The non-binding memorandum of understanding, announced Tuesday by the Dominican Foreign Ministry, has drawn fire from former officials and opposition leaders who demand transparency and full publication of the agreement’s terms.

Bungled housing message in Texas sparked exodus amid Trump immigration rule

2026-05-14

PORT ISABEL, Texas — A public housing authority in this South Texas town told residents in February that a Trump administration proposal would require proof of legal status within 30 days or families could be evicted. Within weeks, many residents had left public housing, advocates and residents said, even after the authority later sent a “clarification.” The episode offers a snapshot of how a proposed federal immigration rule could affect housing for families with at least one ineligible member.

US deportations to El Salvador nearly double in early 2026

2026-05-14

The U.S. deported 5,033 people to El Salvador in the first three months of 2026, nearly doubling the 2,547 deportations from the same period in 2025, according to El Salvador migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press. The increase comes as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele aligns himself with President Donald Trump’s deportation priorities and offers to help carry them out.

Ex-mayor in Kansas is in custody of U.S. immigration authorities

2026-05-14

The former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was taken into custody by U.S. immigration authorities Wednesday after acknowledging that he voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen, according to his attorney. Joe Ceballos, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was detained during a meeting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Wichita, and his lawyer said he now fears deportation.

ICE found to have violated Colorado order on warrantless arrests

2026-05-14

A federal judge ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Colorado violated an order limiting when they can arrest people without a warrant. The order, issued by U.S. District Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson, required ICE to have probable cause that a person is in the country illegally and is likely to escape before officers can make a warrantless arrest.

“Alligator Alcatraz” detention center’s future uncertain as courts revisit case

2026-05-14

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Environmental groups said the timing of the expected closure of Florida’s immigration detention center in the Everglades — nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” — is tied to their federal lawsuit and a remand to the same judge who previously ordered the facility shut down. A federal appellate court last month kept the center open while it sent the case back for further proceedings, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has not received “official word” that detainee transfers will stop.

Dominican opposition criticizes U.S. deal to take third-country deportees

2026-05-14

Opposition figures in the Dominican Republic criticized a memorandum of understanding the country signed with the United States to receive some third-country deportees, saying it lacks transparency and violates national sovereignty. The non-binding agreement, announced Tuesday by the Dominican Foreign Ministry, would allow the temporary entry of a limited number of third-country nationals without criminal records before they return to their home countries.

85-year-old French widow recounts 16-day ICE detention, harsh conditions

2026-05-13

An 85-year-old French widow said she heard children crying and guards shouting nonstop during 16 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, in an interview with The Associated Press that has reignited scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement methods. Marie-Thérèse Ross, the widow of a U.S. military veteran, was arrested at her Alabama home on April 1 over an alleged visa overstay and released last month after international pressure. Her account describes officers handcuffing her in a bathrobe, the separation of mothers from their children inside the facility, and a profound shift in how she views U.S. immigration policy.

85-year-old French widow recounts ICE detention in Louisiana

2026-05-13

An 85-year-old French widow, Marie-Thérèse Ross, has described her 16 days in federal immigration custody in Louisiana after she was arrested in Alabama last month on an alleged visa overstay. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ross said guards shouted and treated detainees condescendingly, and that she heard children crying, including babies, in the facility.

Former private prison executive David Venturella to lead ICE acting

2026-05-12

The Trump administration says former private prison executive David Venturella will become the acting leader of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after ICE’s current director steps down at the end of the month. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said late Tuesday that Venturella would succeed Todd Lyons, who led the agency during the administration’s crackdown on immigration.

Tucson advocates map ICE enforcement activity as arrests surge

2026-05-10

Tucson advocates have launched an online map documenting immigration enforcement activity across the city as arrests surge under the Trump administration’s mass deportation initiative, offering a public record of incidents that often go unseen.

Community-built map tracks ICE activity across Tucson, Arizona

2026-05-10

Tucson migrant advocates have built a community-tracking map to document immigration-related enforcement in and around the city as federal arrests surge, drawing data from residents’ observations and local reporting. The Tucson Migra Map tracks activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies, and classifies incidents as “confirmed” or “credible but unconfirmed.” Its creators say the project is designed to make enforcement patterns visible while raising questions about safety and transparency for people living through the raids.

Second appeals court rejects Trump's no-bond immigration detentions, deepening circuit split

2026-05-08

A federal appeals court in Atlanta has ruled against the Trump administration's policy of denying bond hearings to people in immigration proceedings, further splitting the federal circuits on whether mandatory detention is legal. The 2-1 ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals aligns with the 2nd Circuit but conflicts with decisions from the 5th and 8th Circuits, increasing the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court will take up the issue.

DeSantis says Alligator Alcatraz temporary; DHS denies closure push

2026-05-08

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that the state’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in the Everglades was always intended to be temporary, a statement that came the same day a report surfaced that state and federal officials had begun early talks about shutting the facility down. The Department of Homeland Security denied it was urging closure, calling Florida a valuable partner, while the governor said the site had processed and deported 22,000 detainees since opening last summer.

Second appeals court rejects Trump’s no-bond immigration detentions

2026-05-08

An Atlanta-based appeals court rejected a Trump administration policy of keeping people in immigration proceedings detained without bond, a ruling that deepens a split among federal courts. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Wednesday that the law does not give the executive branch “unfettered authority” to detain people without bond while their cases are pending.

New York to restrict ICE ties after threat from Trump border czar

2026-05-08

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will back bills that would limit how state and local authorities coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even after Trump’s border czar warned New York could face more immigration agents. Hochul said she “don’t take well to threats” and plans to include the proposals in the state budget, while a Republican candidate for governor called the approach a success elsewhere.

DeSantis says “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center always meant to be temporary

2026-05-08

Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Florida’s immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” always was meant to be temporary, adding the facility would wind down if the federal government could house detainees elsewhere. His remarks came as The New York Times reported state and federal officials were in early talks about shutting the Everglades facility down.

Many Americans say Trump’s immigration crackdown makes U.S. unwelcoming: poll

2026-05-07

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to a new AP-NORC poll, with about one-third saying they or someone they know has been affected by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The survey also finds strong support for birthright citizenship in general, but Republicans are more divided and many respondents distinguish among specific cases.

Justice Department targets slow immigration judges to clear immigration backlog

2026-05-07

The Justice Department is aiming to replace immigration judges it says are ruling too slowly or not following immigration law, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday in Phoenix. The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to cut a backlog of 3.7 million pending immigration cases, as it pursues faster deportations.

AP-NORC poll finds many Americans changed routines as Trump ramps immigration enforcement

2026-05-06

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, a new AP-NORC poll finds, as about one-third report knowing someone affected by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The survey also shows broad public support for birthright citizenship, while opinions vary sharply by parents’ immigration status.

DOJ targets slow immigration judges as Trump pushes to cut backlog

2026-05-06

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department is trying to remove immigration judges it says are ruling too slowly or not following the law. He made the remarks in Phoenix at an event that gathers immigration officials, law enforcement and contractors as the Trump administration seeks to reduce a backlog of 3.7 million immigration cases.

Civil rights groups sue to block Texas immigration law ahead of May 15 start

2026-05-05

Civil rights organizations filed a new lawsuit Monday seeking to block core provisions of a Texas immigration law, Senate Bill 4, that would allow state police to arrest people suspected of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization and empower state magistrates to order deportations. The law is scheduled to take effect May 15 after a federal appeals court lifted a years-long injunction two weeks ago.

Civil rights groups sue to stop Texas immigration law

2026-05-05

Civil rights groups filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to block parts of Texas’ immigration law, known as Senate Bill 4, that would allow state police to arrest people suspected of illegally entering the U.S. across the Mexico border. The groups—led by the Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas—argue the measure is unconstitutional because immigration enforcement belongs to the federal government. The law is set to take effect May 15 after a federal appeals court lifted a long-running pause, and it could still be halted by another court.

Man shot by ICE in California pleads not guilty to federal charges

2026-05-05

A federal grand jury indicted Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez on assaulting federal officers and damaging government property after an ICE arrest in central California, prosecutors said. Mendoza pleaded not guilty Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and is seeking a jury trial. His attorney said he panicked and tried to flee when agents blocked his vehicle.

Many know someone affected by Trump immigration push: new AP-NORC poll

2026-05-05

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to a new AP-NORC poll released Tuesday. About one-third of Americans say they or someone they know has started carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, been detained or deported, changed travel plans, or significantly changed daily routines because of immigration enforcement.

Federal Judge Extends Yemeni TPS, Rebukes Noem's 'Leeches' Remark

2026-05-02

A federal judge in Manhattan on Friday blocked the Trump administration from forcing roughly 3,000 Yemeni refugees to leave the U.S., ruling that the Department of Homeland Security failed to follow proper procedures when it ended their Temporary Protected Status. In a sharply worded opinion, U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho criticized former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for describing TPS holders as 'killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies' in a social media post.

Federal judge extends Temporary Protected Status for ~3,000 Yemen refugees

2026-05-02

A federal judge in New York blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for about 3,000 Yemeni refugees, ruling on Friday that TPS granted to them should be extended while a lawsuit proceeds. The judge, Dale E. Ho, said TPS repeatedly granted to Yemenis and due to expire Monday must be extended again because the United States had already determined the people could face threats if returned to a country still marked by ongoing armed conflict.

Israel and Max Makoka return home after ICE detention in Mississippi

2026-05-01

Israel and Max Makoka were reunited with their guardians after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the brothers in Mississippi last month, according to a statement attributed to the Department of Homeland Security. The siblings, who say they came to the United States legally as students, are now back with host parents in Diamondhead, Mississippi, while legal efforts continue to keep them in the country.

Louisiana Supreme Court to weigh legality of Orleans jail “sanctuary” policy

2026-04-30

Louisiana’s Supreme Court is weighing whether Act 314 of 2024 can override a long-standing Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office policy that generally refuses to hold people in the Orleans jail at the request of federal immigration authorities. Civil rights lawyers defended the policy during arguments April 28, while state attorneys argued it violates the 2024 law aimed at so-called “sanctuary cities.”

Minnesota family indicted after clash with Turning Point USA journalist

2026-04-30

The federal government unsealed an indictment alleging that three family members assaulted a journalist who writes for a conservative organization during a protest against immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The indictment says Christopher and DeYanna Ostroushko and their daughter, Paige, each face a federal assault count, and it also charges Christopher and Paige with interfering with a federally protected activity.

Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to end protections for Haitian, Syrian TPS

2026-04-30

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in a case challenging the Trump administration’s push to end Temporary Protected Status protections for migrants from Haiti and Syria. The court appeared to confront questions about how much authority judges have to review the Trump administration’s steps to terminate the program, and whether justices will rely on prior precedent.

Washington seeks order to let health inspectors into Geo Group ICE detention

2026-04-29

Washington state asked a federal judge on Tuesday to require private prison operator The Geo Group to allow state health inspectors into its Tacoma immigration detention center, known as the Northwest ICE Processing Center. The state said inspectors from the Washington Department of Health have repeatedly been denied entry despite a 2023 law granting Washington broad authority over contractors running private detention facilities.

2nd Circuit rejects Trump no-bond detentions; case may go to Supreme Court

2026-04-29

A federal appeals court in New York ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration cannot detain immigrants without allowing them to seek bond, citing “serious constitutional questions” about what it said would otherwise be a broad mass detention-without-bond mandate. The unanimous ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sets the stage for a possible U.S. Supreme Court review.

Washington sues to force Geo Group to allow health inspectors into Tacoma ICE jail

2026-04-28

Washington state asked a federal judge to order The Geo Group to allow state health inspectors into its for-profit immigration detention center in Tacoma, the Associated Press reported. Gov. Bob Ferguson said inspectors from the Washington Department of Health have been turned away repeatedly, including 10 times since a 2023 state law, and that the detention center houses up to about 1,600 people under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Texas appeals ruling allows police to arrest suspects under SB 4

2026-04-28

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower-court injunction blocking Texas from enforcing a 2023 law that allows state police to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally, according to the court’s order released Friday. The appellate court dismissed the lawsuit brought by Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, American Gateways and El Paso County, citing plaintiffs’ lack of standing.

Salvadorans watch as Supreme Court weighs Temporary Protected Status

2026-04-28

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether the Trump administration properly ended Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians and Syrians, and whether the decision unlawfully prejudiced non-white immigrants. For an estimated 200,000 Salvadorans, the case is also closely watched because Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador is set to expire unless it is renewed later this year.

ICE arrests drop nearly 12% after Minneapolis killings and Homan shake-up

2026-04-26

ICE arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement fell by an average of nearly 12% nationwide in the weeks after a Minneapolis killings and a shake-up of top immigration officials, according to data analyzed by the Associated Press. The drop followed a Feb. 4 drawdown announcement by “border czar” Tom Homan, who was sent to oversee immigration enforcement in Minnesota after the killings. The AP analysis also found arrest levels rose in some states during the same post-drawdown period, while others saw steep declines.

New York sues to keep $73.5M in federal highway funds tied to CDLs

2026-04-25

New York sued the U.S. government on Friday to challenge a Transportation Department decision to withhold nearly $74 million in federal highway money tied to the state’s decision not to revoke certain commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants. New York said it followed federal rules when the licenses were granted and that canceling the funding would harm safety investments, jobs and communities.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol, sending it to House

2026-04-24

The Senate voted Thursday to move a budget plan that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol as lawmakers seek to restart parts of the Homeland Security Department after a shutdown that began in mid-February. The measure cleared the chamber early Thursday morning over Democratic objections and is now headed to the House.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol, sending it to House

2026-04-23

The Senate on Thursday voted to adopt a budget plan to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for three years, the first steps in a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans used the budget-reconciliation process to move the measure despite Democratic objections, and sent the plan to the House after a final vote early Thursday morning.

Houston amends ordinance limiting ICE cooperation after Abbott funding threat

2026-04-23

Houston city leaders amended an ordinance limiting how police cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold public-safety grants. The original ordinance, passed on a 2-week timeline, removed a requirement that officers wait 30 minutes for ICE agents to pick up people detained on nonjudicial administrative warrants.

Immigration officer charged with assault after protest outside Colorado ICE

2026-04-23

An immigration officer has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after an investigation into how he treated a protester outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Durango, Colorado, the district attorney said. The protester, Franci Stagi, told authorities a masked agent grabbed and put her in a chokehold during an October demonstration against the detention of three Colombian asylum-seekers.

Appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents to wear ID

2026-04-23

A federal appeals court blocked a California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification, dealing another setback to the state’s efforts to limit enforcement tactics by the Trump administration. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction pending appeal, saying the law “attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions.”

California lawmakers advance bills to protect patients in ICE custody

2026-04-23

California lawmakers are pursuing two bills aimed at limiting how federal immigration enforcement officers interact with people brought to hospitals while in ICE custody, with supporters citing difficulties families and attorneys face in locating hospitalized detainees. The proposals in the Senate would seek to restrict “blackout policies,” require notice and visitation rules for patients, and set expectations for staff when agents are present, the Associated Press reported. The federal Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

Houston amends ICE cooperation ordinance after Abbott threatens funding

2026-04-22

Houston City Council amended a recently passed ordinance that limited some police cooperation with federal immigration agents after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned the city could lose public-safety grants. Council members voted 13-4 on Wednesday, with Mayor John Whitmire citing a need to protect about $114 million tied to the World Cup and other security funding.

Appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents wear ID

2026-04-22

A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked a California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification, issuing an injunction pending appeal. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the measure improperly targeted the federal government’s performance of governmental functions. California had argued the ID requirement was needed for public safety and would apply to law enforcement generally.

Immigration officer charged with assault after protest, DA says

2026-04-22

An immigration officer in Colorado has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after a protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the Durango district attorney said. The case follows allegations that the officer grabbed and put a protester, Franci Stagi, in a chokehold during an October demonstration.

California Senate bills aim to stop ICE officers isolating hospitalized patients

2026-04-22

California lawmakers advanced two bills to protect patients held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after concerns that federal agents can isolate patients from families and attorneys and interfere with care. The proposals would limit “blackout” practices, require facilities to better facilitate communication and visitation, and direct staff to document when agents refuse to leave exam and treatment discussions.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE, Border Patrol and reopen DHS

2026-04-22

In Washington, the Senate voted early Thursday to adopt a budget plan that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through the next three years, sending the resolution to the House. The action was taken after the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since mid-February while Democrats sought policy changes following fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents.

Wife of U.S. Army sergeant detained by ICE in El Paso

2026-04-22

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant is being held by ICE at a detention facility in El Paso, Texas, while she challenges the case in federal court, according to her husband and her attorney. Jose Serrano, who said he served three tours in Afghanistan, said immigration agents arrested his wife April 14 during an immigration appointment. The case comes as DHS has moved to end a policy that treated military service in a family as a mitigating factor in immigration enforcement.

Senate votes to restart bid to fund DHS and end partial shutdown

2026-04-22

The Senate voted 52-46 on Tuesday to launch a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security and end the longest partial government shutdown in history, setting up a pathway Republicans hope will fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Republicans said they will use the budget reconciliation process, while Democrats argued the approach would pour money into immigration enforcement without reforms after fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents.

Appeals court keeps “Alligator Alcatraz” open after environmental challenge

2026-04-22

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a Florida immigration detention facility in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” will remain open, rejecting a judge’s order to wind down the center. The Eleventh Circuit said the facility is not under federal control, and therefore does not require federal environmental review under the law at issue.

Wife of U.S. Army sergeant detained in El Paso immigration facility

2026-04-21

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant was being held Tuesday at an immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas, after agents arrested her during a visit related to immigration paperwork, according to her husband. Her case has moved to U.S. District Court, where her attorney has sought an order to block her removal to Mexico.

Judge orders man shot by ICE in California to remain in custody

2026-04-21

A California judge on Monday ordered a man shot multiple times during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest to remain in custody, citing flight-risk concerns. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, who holds dual citizenship from El Salvador and Mexico, was shot during an enforcement stop on April 7 in Patterson, about 75 miles southeast of San Francisco. He is charged with assaulting a federal officer for allegedly striking an ICE agent with his car before reversing into a law enforcement vehicle, according to court documents.

85-year-old French widow returns to France after 16-day ICE detention

2026-04-18

An 85-year-old French widow returned to France on Friday after 16 days in U.S. immigration custody, her son said. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Alabama on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa. Speaking to reporters in her hometown of Orvault in western France, her son Hervé Goix said his mother needs time to recover from the detention.

Animal welfare activists clash with police at Wisconsin beagle facility

2026-04-18

About 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to storm Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, on Saturday, but police fired rubber bullets and pepper spray to repel them, authorities said. The Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, led by Wayne Hsiung, had organized the operation to seize the approximately 2,000 beagles kept at the facility. Hsiung was arrested along with an unspecified number of other protesters.

Concerns about backgrounds of some new ICE hires

2026-04-17

The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began work before completing background checks and had financial, legal and employment issues in their histories. The AP said it found examples by reviewing LinkedIn disclosures and public records, and that the agency keeps the identities of employees shielded from public view.

ICE acting director Todd Lyons to resign at end of May

2026-04-17

Todd Lyons, who led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a key executor of President Donald Trump's mass deportations agenda, will resign at the end of May, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced Thursday. Lyons' last day will be May 31. The announcement comes after the agency faced mounting scrutiny over high-profile enforcement operations and the deaths of two American protesters during federal immigration officer conduct.

Abbott threatens $200 million in funding cuts to Texas cities over ICE policies

2026-04-17

Gov. Greg Abbott threatened Monday to strip nearly $200 million in state public safety funding from Houston, Dallas, and Austin, claiming their policies limiting police cooperation with federal immigration authorities make streets less safe rather than safer. Houston faces the largest potential cut at approximately $110 million. Dallas stands to lose more than $32 million in grants plus an additional $55 million in World Cup public safety funding. Austin could forfeit approximately $2.5 million. Abbott gave Houston an extended deadline to comply, while Austin and Dallas received similar letters Thursday. The threatened cuts stem from each city's policy directing police officers not to prolong detention of individuals to facilitate contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during routine encounters like traffic stops.

ICE hired agents with questionable backgrounds

2026-04-17

An Associated Press investigation has found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hired thousands of new officers and special agents with questionable qualifications during an unprecedented hiring spree to carry out President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. The agency, which received a $75 billion congressional windfall, prioritized rapid recruitment over verification, resulting in the hiring of applicants with histories of financial distress, failed police academies, and prior misconduct allegations.

French widow released from ICE custody after 16 days

2026-04-17

An 85-year-old French widow who married a retired U.S. soldier decades ago has returned to France after spending 16 days in federal immigration custody. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa, though she was in the process of applying for a green card. An Alabama judge found evidence that her stepson, a U.S. federal employee, may have used his position to trigger her detention amid a dispute over her late husband's estate.

Issues in backgrounds of some new ICE hires

2026-04-16

The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began working before their full background checks were completed, and that several had problems in their financial, legal and employment histories. The investigation traced details through public records for more than 40 officers who posted their new jobs online and analyzed what the agency and the Department of Homeland Security said about vetting. ICE has said it keeps employee identities shielded to protect them from harassment.

House passes bill to extend Haiti immigrants’ temporary protected status

2026-04-16

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday that would extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants in a rare bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the program, a key step before a fast-moving Supreme Court case. The vote was 224-204, and supporters said it would give hundreds of thousands of qualifying Haitians time to remain lawfully in the United States without fear of deportation.

Suspect pleads guilty to robbery in case of missing Navajo grandmother Ella Mae Begay

2026-04-16

Preston Henry Tolth, 26, pleaded guilty to federal robbery charges Thursday in Phoenix in the case of Ella Mae Begay, a 62-year-old Navajo grandmother who disappeared from the Navajo Nation in 2021 and has never been found. Under a proposed agreement, Tolth faces a maximum of five years in federal prison with credit for three years already served. U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes is scheduled to review the agreement in May.

Venezuelan doctor detained at Texas airport before asylum interview

2026-04-16

A Venezuelan emergency room physician was detained by immigration officials at a Texas airport Saturday while attempting to join her husband for a long-awaited asylum interview, entering her sixth day in detention at the time the Associated Press reported the case. Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, who held work authorization valid through 2030, was arrested at McAllen International Airport by Customs and Border Protection while traveling to Los Angeles where her husband, Milenko Faria, had scheduled an asylum interview Thursday after waiting more than a decade for the appointment.

New York to lose $73.5M in federal funds over unrevoked immigrant CDLs

2026-04-16

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will withhold more than $73.5 million in federal funding from New York state after the state refused to revoke 32,606 non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants that a federal audit found had significant problems. More than half of the 200 licenses reviewed during the audit had serious deficiencies — including licenses that remained valid long after the holder's authorization to be in the country had expired — according to the department.

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt probe over Trump deportation flights

2026-04-15

A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Tuesday that a federal judge must stop his “intrusive” criminal contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s deportation flights to El Salvador. The court said Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion by moving forward even though the order he cited did not meet the standard for criminal contempt.

House votes to extend Haiti TPS protections, in rebuke to Trump plan

2026-04-15

The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill that would extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants for three years, a rare bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump’s effort to end the program. The measure passed 224-204 and now faces uncertainty in the Senate, where Trump would likely seek to veto it, according to the Associated Press.

Mexico’s Sheinbaum pushes back on Trump over migrant deaths in custody

2026-04-15

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday protested the deaths of Mexican citizens in U.S. immigration custody and vowed to press the issue through international rights bodies and U.S. lawsuits. She spoke a day after Alejandro Cabrera Clemente, 49, died in an ICE detention center in Louisiana.

Prosecutors charge man shot by ICE in California with assaulting officer

2026-04-15

A man who was shot multiple times during an April 7 arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in central California was charged Tuesday with assaulting a federal officer, prosecutors said. The case is in federal court in Sacramento, where a magistrate judge set a $50,000 bond after ordering him released pending further review.

Guards accused of beating detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'

2026-04-15

Guards at Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees on April 2 after they complained about non-functioning phones, according to a court declaration filed by attorney Katherine Blankenship on behalf of two detainees held at the remote Everglades site. Blankenship said guards began taunting detainees who had raised concerns about inoperable phones — their primary means of reaching family and attorneys — before the confrontation turned physical. One of her clients was punched in the right eye, thrown to the floor, beaten by several guards, kicked in the head, and had a guard's knee pressed to his neck while being restrained, she wrote.

Illinois lawmakers refuse to accept corrections audit findings, demand agency return

2026-04-15

Illinois's Legislative Audit Commission refused Tuesday to accept a state Department of Corrections audit that found 40 failures — including a decade-old overtime scheme that cost the state $150 million in fiscal year 2024 — and ordered the agency to return with answers on its remediation progress. The bipartisan commission, which reviews audits of state agencies, questioned Corrections Director LaToya Hughes over findings that auditors said had persisted in some cases since 2014 despite repeated departmental commitments to address them. "There is literally nothing that you guys can say that I would believe," commission co-chair Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said. "And honestly, it's about the safety of people in the state and the safety of the men and women that work there."

Judge extends pause on Maryland warehouse immigrant detention conversion

2026-04-15

A federal judge on Wednesday extended a halt on work to convert an 825,000-square-foot Maryland warehouse into an immigrant detention facility, issuing a preliminary injunction that will remain in place until the state's lawsuit is resolved. The Department of Homeland Security purchased the building near Hagerstown for $102.4 million in January and had planned to house between 500 and 1,500 detainees there. The ruling limits contractors to only minor work — fence installation and heating and cooling upgrades — while the case proceeds.

France presses DHS to free 85-year-old widow of U.S. Army veteran from ICE custody

2026-04-15

The French government is pressing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release an 85-year-old French national from immigration custody after she was detained in Alabama for overstaying her visa. Marie-Therese Ross, the widow of a former U.S. Army captain, has been held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested her on April 1. France's consul general in New Orleans said the government has "fully mobilized" to secure her release.

Brazil ex-intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem arrested by ICE, senator says

2026-04-14

SAO PAULO — A Brazilian senator said on Monday that former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sen. Jorge Seif said he had told the U.S. embassy in Brasilia that Ramagem should not remain in custody because he is being persecuted in Brazil.

Man shot by ICE in California arrested by FBI, attorney says

2026-04-14

A man shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during an enforcement stop in central California last week has been arrested by the FBI after being discharged from a hospital, his attorney said Monday. Attorney Patrick Kolasinski said federal officials have not told him what charges Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez might face.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-11

Communities across the United States have pushed back against plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers, as the Department of Homeland Security reviews contracts signed under the agency’s predecessor. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reviewing a plan to transform warehouses across the country to house tens of thousands of immigrants, the Associated Press reported. In several states, local officials said they were not notified in advance, and in others state or local authorities moved to block or challenge deals.

Immigration board denies Mahmoud Khalil’s appeal as federal case continues

2026-04-11

An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s bid to dismiss his deportation case, a ruling his lawyers said brings him closer to re-arrest and possible expulsion. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal on Thursday, according to Khalil’s attorneys, in a case that began after a federal crackdown on noncitizens who criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Parents sue U.S. after 8-year-old dies in CBP custody in Texas

2026-04-11

A Honduran family sued the U.S. government after an 8-year-old girl with serious medical conditions died while in Customs and Border Protection custody in Texas in 2023, according to court filings filed Friday. The suit says federal officials failed to provide proper medical care during her eight days in custody, including at a CBP facility in Donna before she was later held in Harlingen.

Trump shares video of Florida killing, pointing to deportation agenda

2026-04-11

President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social a video portraying a deadly attack in Florida that authorities allege involved a Haitian immigrant, using it to support his administration’s deportation agenda, the Associated Press reported. Rolbert Joachin, 40, was arrested and charged after a woman was killed at a gas station in Fort Myers on April 2, according to court and law-enforcement records. Critics said Trump’s post demonizes Haitian immigrants and broader immigration protections.

US communities push back on plans for immigration detention centers

2026-04-10

Communities across the U.S. are pushing back against plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers, a move the Department of Homeland Security says it is reviewing. The backlash follows reports that the government spent $1.074 billion on 11 warehouses, most of them after ICE bought the properties without local input. In recent days, DHS paused additional purchases and began scrutiny of contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

California man shot by ICE agents denies gang ties

2026-04-10

An attorney for a man shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during an arrest in Patterson, California, says the man denies being a gang member as he recovers after multiple surgeries. Attorney Patrick Kolasinski said federal prosecutors told him Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez is not under arrest, raising questions about why ICE targeted him.

Protesters derail Maryland plans for ICE warehouse detention facility

2026-04-10

Horns blared and protesters shouted “Stop ICE!” outside a Washington County, Maryland meeting where county officials discussed a paused plan to convert a large warehouse into an immigration detention facility. The Department of Homeland Security has paused the effort and is reviewing contracts signed by its predecessor, according to a recent court filing in the state’s lawsuit.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-09

The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a plan to transform warehouses across the U.S. into immigration detention facilities for tens of thousands of immigrants, an Associated Press review of documents and local responses shows. Since Markwayne Mullin was sworn in, the department has paused purchases of additional warehouses and is scrutinizing contracts signed by his predecessor, Kristi Noem.

Attorney disputes claims against man shot by ICE in central California

2026-04-09

A lawyer for Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez said Mendoza did not try to drive into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during an arrest Tuesday in Patterson, California. The Department of Homeland Security said ICE agents fired defensive shots after Mendoza attempted to drive into them. The attorney also disputed federal claims that Mendoza has an arrest warrant in El Salvador.

Minnesota school districts, teachers union seek injunction on school enforcement

2026-04-09

Two Minnesota school districts and the state’s main teachers union asked a federal judge Wednesday to block a Trump administration policy change that gave immigration authorities more flexibility to conduct enforcement actions in and near schools. Attorneys for the Fridley and Duluth districts and the Education Minnesota union said the Department of Homeland Security rescinded nationwide “sensitive locations” limits last year, prompting disruptions during a period that included “Operation Metro Surge.” The request asks U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino for a stay or preliminary injunction while the case proceeds.

Rep. Eric Swalwell vows to constrain ICE if elected California governor

2026-04-08

California Rep. Eric Swalwell said he would aggressively push back against federal immigration officers if elected governor, promising to make them ineligible for state jobs and to take away their driver’s licenses if they refuse to unmask while on duty. Speaking at a town hall in Sacramento, he said, “They think they’re invincible. They’re not,” and called himself “battle-tested” in Congress.

U.S. Army staff sergeant seeks help after wife detained for deportation

2026-04-08

A U.S. Army staff sergeant is trying to halt his wife’s deportation after federal immigration agents detained her inside a Louisiana military base, according to a report this week by The Associated Press. The case has drawn concern from military family advocates who say the detention is demoralizing and could disrupt troops’ readiness during wartime.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-08

Communities across the United States are pushing back on federal plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers for tens of thousands of immigrants, as the new Homeland Security secretary reviews contracts signed by his predecessor. The Department of Homeland Security has also paused new warehouse purchases while it scrutinizes those agreements, according to the Associated Press.

Immigration officers say they shot suspected gang member in California

2026-04-08

A man was shot and wounded during an ICE immigration arrest in central California on Tuesday, federal authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security said agents fired defensive shots after the suspect tried to run over an officer with his car, and he was later taken to a hospital.

Wife of U.S. soldier released from federal immigration detention

2026-04-08

A federal immigration judge in 2005 ordered a Honduran-born woman released, and she was later released Tuesday from detention where she had been held nearly a week after being taken into custody on a Louisiana military base, the woman and officials said. Annie Ramos, the wife of a U.S. Army staff sergeant preparing to deploy, was released with a GPS monitor while she faces further removal proceedings, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Timeline of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s fight over deportation

2026-04-08

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported to El Salvador despite a court ruling, has spent much of the past year in and out of detention as courts and the Trump administration fight over where he can be removed. The Associated Press compiled a timeline of key events in his legal battle, including a U.S. Supreme Court order in April 2025 and later challenges to planned “third country” removals to multiple African nations.

U.S. seeks to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia despite Costa Rica deal

2026-04-08

The U.S. government told a federal judge it still intends to deport Salvadoran citizen Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, despite a new agreement with Costa Rica to accept some deportees who cannot legally be returned to their home countries. In court in Maryland, Judge Paula Xinis scheduled further briefing and a new hearing for April 28.

Court asked to lift halt on closing Everglades immigration detention center

2026-04-07

Environmental groups asked a federal appeals court panel Tuesday to lift a temporary halt on an order requiring Florida officials to close the state’s Everglades detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The request comes as judges at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned when federal law applies to the state-run facility, which opened last summer to support President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Pennsylvania counties billed ICE more than $21 million for immigrant jails

2026-04-07

A Spotlight PA review found that five Pennsylvania counties earned more than $21 million in recent years by billing the federal government for detaining immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in local jails. The agreements predate the second Trump administration but are drawing new attention as the administration’s mass deportation effort relies on local partners. The payments and cooperation arrangements have sparked pushback at the local level, including changes to one county’s contract with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Video shows Minneapolis chase ending in shooting and suspension of officers

2026-04-07

Minneapolis released a city-owned security video on April 6 showing a Jan. 14 chase and scuffle involving federal immigration officers that ended in a nonfatal shooting. The footage drew scrutiny after the U.S. Justice Department dropped criminal charges against two immigrants in February, prompting a federal probe into whether officers lied under oath. Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement that the video shows the federal government’s account does not match the facts.

Toddler allegedly abused while in federal immigration custody, family says

2026-04-06

The family of a 3-year-old immigrant girl says she suffered alleged sexual abuse while she was in federal custody after U.S. officials separated her from her mother following their border crossing. Her father, a legal permanent resident, said he waited months for release and only learned of the alleged abuse when attorneys began court action.

Lawsuit says 3-year-old faced alleged sexual abuse while held by ORR

2026-04-05

A 3-year-old immigrant who crossed the border near El Paso last year suffered alleged sexual abuse while in federal custody and placed in foster care, according to a lawsuit described by her legal team and her father. The father learned of the allegations only after turning to the courts. He later reunited with his daughter after attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition.

Toddler alleges sexual abuse during federal immigration custody in Texas

2026-04-04

A father whose 3-year-old daughter was placed in federal custody after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border said her release after months in foster care came only after his case reached the courts. He alleges she suffered sexual abuse while in the foster placement, and his daughter’s lawyer said the abuse was reported to local law enforcement and that a forensic exam and interview took place.

Federal judge says Border Patrol California sweeps violated court order

2026-04-04

A federal judge in California ruled that Border Patrol agents continued making illegal stops and arrests after she ordered them to stop. In a decision unsealed April 3, Judge Jennifer Thurston said agents “again detained people without reasonable suspicion” in the Central Valley after she issued a preliminary injunction barring them from detaining people without documenting specific facts for the stops.

Georgia lawmakers advance bill allowing lawsuits over homelessness enforcement

2026-04-04

Georgia lawmakers passed a bill that would let property owners sue local governments if they believe policies banning people from sleeping outside and limiting “sanctuary” cooperation with federal immigration authorities were not enforced. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines, would allow claimants to seek compensation tied to alleged lost property value or costs, if Gov. Brian Kemp signs it.

Judge blocks deportation of Indian man after Pennsylvania murder conviction overturned

2026-04-03

A Pennsylvania judge cleared the way Thursday for the possible release of an Indian citizen taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after his murder conviction was overturned following four decades in prison. U.S. Immigration Judge Adam Panopoulos said the man, identified as Subramanyam Vedam, showed he was genuinely rehabilitated and would not pose a danger. A federal agency said vacating a single conviction would not stop immigration enforcement as it weighs an appeal.

Leaders call for release of Wisconsin mosque president detained by ICE

2026-04-03

Leaders in Milwaukee on Thursday called for the release of the president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, saying federal immigration agents detained him because of his criticism of Israel. Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident, was taken into custody Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after leaving his home, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

Inspection finds dozens of violations at major ICE camp in Texas

2026-04-03

Federal inspectors found dozens of violations of national detention standards at Camp East Montana, ICE’s largest immigration detention facility in Texas, according to a report released after a three-day inspection in February. The report by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight, mandated by Congress, documented 49 deficiencies involving issues including the use of force and restraints, security, and medical care.

Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyers seek recusal of 3rd Circuit Judge Emil Bove

2026-04-03

Lawyers for deportation defendant Mahmoud Khalil asked Judge Emil Bove to step aside from a U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit panel reviewing an earlier decision that moved the Trump administration closer to detaining and potentially deporting the pro-Palestinian activist.

Buffalo refugee death ruled a homicide after Border Patrol drop-off

2026-04-02

Authorities in Erie County, New York, ruled that the death of a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar is a homicide, saying it was caused by complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration. The decision comes nearly a week after Border Patrol agents left him at a doughnut shop in February, according to records and advocates.

California DACA mother reunites with daughter after judge orders return

2026-04-02

A California woman who had lived in the U.S. for 27 years was reunited with her daughter this week after a judge ordered her return following deportation to Mexico in February. Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez, a 42-year-old DACA recipient, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after appearing for an immigration hearing and deported the next day.

DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases while reviewing Noem contracts

2026-04-01

The Department of Homeland Security is pausing plans to buy new warehouses to detain immigrants as it scrutinizes contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a senior DHS official told The Associated Press. The pause comes days after Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new secretary, inheriting a detention-expansion plan aimed at increasing bed capacity.

DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse buys as it reviews Noem contracts

2026-03-31

The Department of Homeland Security has paused plans to purchase new warehouses intended to hold immigrants while it reviews contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a senior DHS official said. The pause comes as Markwayne Mullin was sworn in last week to lead a department that had pushed a major expansion of detention capacity under Noem.

Georgia bill would allow DNA swabs from immigrants detained on minor charges

2026-03-31

Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would require DNA swabs from some immigrants in custody for misdemeanor and felony charges if U.S. immigration authorities issue a detainer. The proposal would apply when Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not pick up the person within 48 hours.

Big change for California: No more SBA loans for non-citizens

2026-03-31

California’s small business owners who hold green cards are facing a federal rule change that ends their eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loans, and for SBA-backed lending beginning in April. The SBA said the limits are meant to expand access for U.S. citizens, while advocates warn the shift could discourage immigrant entrepreneurs and undercut job creation. The changes apply to green-card holders and to businesses with partial ownership by a lawful permanent resident.

Georgia bill would allow DNA swabs from immigrants charged with misdemeanors

2026-03-30

A Georgia bill awaiting a final vote would require DNA collection from some immigrants held after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests detention for minor offenses. Supporters say the measure would help solve crimes, while critics warn it could expand genetic surveillance tied to immigration status.

Minnesota judge dismisses DOJ bid to block in-state tuition programs

2026-03-29

A federal judge ruled Friday that Minnesota can keep offering in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants without legal status, rejecting a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez followed legal fights between the federal government and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement.

Judge orders better attorney access at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

2026-03-29

A federal judge ruled Friday that Florida’s state-run immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” must provide detainees better access to their attorneys. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell issued a preliminary injunction requiring officials to allow timely, free, confidential, unmonitored, and unrecorded outgoing calls, among other requirements.

Louisiana crawfish industry hampered by limits on foreign workers

2026-03-28

CROWLEY, La. — Louisiana’s crawfish industry is facing delays and reduced access to foreign seasonal workers as the state’s spring peak season begins, operators and state officials say. Crawfish producers and processors rely on workers on H-2B visas to shell and freeze the catch, but they say the federal government did not authorize enough guest workers in time. With the season already underway, they warn that missing labor could translate into fewer products for restaurants and higher prices for consumers.

California lawmakers vote to audit fusion centers used in immigration policing

2026-03-28

California lawmakers voted to audit the operation of joint intelligence centers known as fusion centers, a move lawmakers and advocates say is aimed at limiting how state and local police share information with federal immigration authorities. The audit was approved Tuesday by the Joint Committee on Legislative Audit, with State Auditor Grant Parks selected to conduct the review.

Helena city commission rescinds immigration limits after Montana AG legal threat

2026-03-28

The Helena city commission voted Thursday to scrap an immigration enforcement resolution that had restricted local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, citing legal risk raised by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen. Commissioners rescinded the January measure in a 4-1 vote, then directed attorneys to redraft the policy and invite the attorney general’s office after public comments and deliberations that lasted more than five hours.

Springsteen to headline Minnesota “No Kings” protest amid anti-ICE tensions

2026-03-27

Minnesota will host the “No Kings” protest movement’s flagship rally on Saturday, with Bruce Springsteen scheduled to perform “Streets of Minneapolis” at the state Capitol in St. Paul. Organizers said they expect up to 100,000 people at the Capitol complex, amid ongoing anger over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and deaths of two residents shot by federal officers. The rally is also expected to draw support from Joan Baez and Jane Fonda, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Video shows Minnesota dad and boy were moved to ICE detention by Delta

2026-03-27

A video obtained by The Associated Press shows 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father being escorted through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and flown on a Delta Air Lines commercial flight to Texas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. The father, Adrian Conejo Arias, is seeking asylum from Ecuador, and the family’s lawyer said they plan to appeal after an immigration judge denied the asylum request.

Witness describes trauma after federal officers shot Alex Pretti in Minnesota

2026-03-27

A Minneapolis woman who confronted federal immigration officers alongside Alex Pretti in January told a news conference Thursday that she watched agents shoot and kill him and described her own alleged mistreatment afterward. Georgia Savageford, who introduced herself as Wynnie, said she was shoved, tackled, handcuffed, and held at an ICE facility for about 12 hours without being charged. Lawyers also said they have filed complaints seeking potential class-action litigation over allegations of excessive force during protests and monitoring of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Private contractor investigates rape allegations at Otay Mesa immigration center

2026-03-27

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said her office lacks staff to investigate every allegation at detention facilities, after officials questioned a 2020 memorandum of understanding that appears to delegate sexual-assault investigations at the privately run Otay Mesa facility to CoreCivic. The questions follow a CalMatters and Associated Press investigation that reported at least seven reported sexual assaults at the center in 2025 were not investigated by the sheriff’s office.

Texas requires proof of legal immigration status for professional licenses

2026-03-26

Texas regulators voted to adopt a rule requiring people applying for professional licenses to provide proof of legal immigration status, with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation set to begin implementing it May 1. Commissioners approved the change unanimously after public comments raised concerns about economic impact and added burdens for immigrants. The rule is tied to federal law, but attorneys and state officials said noncitizens may still qualify for licensure if they meet eligibility criteria under longstanding federal provisions.

Montana threatens Helena with lawsuit over immigration “sanctuary” resolution

2026-03-26

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has threatened to sue Helena after accusing the city of violating a state law that bars municipalities from giving refuge to undocumented immigrants. At a Feb. 11 press conference, Knudsen said Helena’s city council was “thumbing its nose” at the legislature for a January resolution that directs the city police not to assist federal immigration agents. A special meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Helena Civic Center, where Helena officials are set to discuss possible changes.

Sherrill signs NJ law restricting face coverings for law enforcement

2026-03-26

Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation in New Jersey on Wednesday limiting face coverings worn by law enforcement, including federal ICE agents, making the state the second this year to enact such a restriction. Sherrill said the measure is part of a package aimed at protecting privacy, rights, and trust between officers and communities, and it also requires officers to present identification before arresting or detaining someone.

Jesuit priest continues to minister to migrants and deportees as border crossings plunge

2026-03-25

Rev. Brian Strassburger, the head of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, has kept celebrating Mass and offering sacraments to migrants in Texas shelters and to detainees and deportees on both sides of the U.S.–Mexico border. His work has spanned the era of record‑breaking crossings under the Biden administration and the sharp decline that followed President Donald Trump’s 2025 immigration emergency declaration. Strassburger says his ministry embodies the Christian promise that “God is accompanying you on your journey,” even as asylum‑seeker numbers shrank dramatically.

Minnesota officials sue Trump administration over federal shooting deaths

2026-03-25

Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, seeking court-ordered access to evidence they say they need to independently investigate three shootings by federal officers, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and a separate shooting that left Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis wounded.

Senators consider deal to fund Homeland Security but not ICE enforcement

2026-03-25

Travel disruptions at major U.S. airports deepened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, while excluding key immigration enforcement and removal functions at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Supreme Court hears bid to revive border asylum “metering” policy

2026-03-25

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed whether the Trump administration can revive an immigration policy known as “metering,” which limits asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border. The dispute centers on whether the Immigration and Nationality Act’s requirement that asylum applicants “arrive in” the United States applies to migrants stopped on the Mexico side of the border. The court heard arguments from the Justice Department and from advocates including the American Immigration Council.

Texas commission adopts rule requiring proof of legal immigration status for licenses

2026-03-25

Texas will require many people seeking professional licenses to prove they are in the country legally, after the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation approved a rule change on Tuesday. The move, set for implementation May 1, would affect licensing across multiple industries that require state authorization, while officials said noncitizens may still qualify under federal exceptions.

ICE officers appear at TSA checkpoints during partial DHS shutdown

2026-03-24

Armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in tactical gear were seen Monday at TSA security checkpoints at multiple major U.S. airports, after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment during a partial government shutdown that has disrupted air travel. The AP reported observations at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, George Bush Intercontinental and Louis Armstrong International, while other airports confirmed ICE would be on-site.

Senators near deal to fund Homeland Security but leave ICE enforcement unfunded

2026-03-24

Travel disruptions worsened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, including airport workers who have been going without pay. Under the emerging plan discussed with the White House, lawmakers would fund most of the department but not the immigration enforcement and removal operations that have been central to the dispute. The talks intensified as long airport security lines stretched in cities including Houston, Atlanta and the Baltimore/Washington area, and the Transportation Security Administration faced large call-out rates.

Supreme Court weighs Trump administration’s bid to revive asylum metering

2026-03-24

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether the Trump administration can revive a restrictive asylum policy known as “metering,” which has been used to turn back migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Conservative justices appeared receptive to the Justice Department’s request to overturn a lower-court ruling against the practice, while others questioned how it would affect people who enter illegally versus those seeking legal entry.

Video of ICE arrest at San Francisco airport draws Democrats' anger

2026-03-24

Democrats criticized the federal arrest of a Guatemalan-bound family at San Francisco International Airport after video showed officers detaining a crying woman while her child watched. State Sen. Scott Wiener and other California Democrats said the incident fueled fear as ICE officers were being deployed to airports during a partial shutdown and funding impasse.

ICE officers to help TSA at airports during DHS funding impasse

2026-03-23

President Donald Trump ordered U.S. immigration enforcement officers to assist the Transportation Security Administration at airports as a partial Homeland Security shutdown drags on, a plan that has drawn concern from senators and TSA employees about added friction for travelers and screening operations. The White House border czar, Tom Homan, said the priority is large airports where waits can last “three hours,” while DHS spokeswoman Lauren Bis said “hundreds” of ICE officers would be deployed but would not name locations. Federal workers, including TSA, have gone without pay since Congress failed to renew DHS funding last month.

Trump threatens ICE role at airports starting Monday amid DHS funding fight

2026-03-23

Trump said Saturday he would order ICE agents to intervene in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. His threat came as a partial government shutdown has lengthened airport lines and some TSA workers have continued working without pay.

Trump says ICE will work airport security unless Democrats fund DHS

2026-03-22

President Donald Trump said he will order federal immigration officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Trump made the announcement in social media posts on Saturday while a partial government shutdown has contributed to long lines at some major airports.

Secretive US deal with Equatorial Guinea strands deported migrants

2026-03-22

A U.S. immigration judge ruled that a refugee could not be deported to his home country because of danger but he was later handcuffed and sent to Equatorial Guinea, where he remains detained, according to The Associated Press and interviews with a lawyer and the refugee. The AP described a broader pattern in which dozens of migrants deported to Equatorial Guinea under U.S.-Africa deals remain stuck without an asylum policy, even after U.S. judges provide protections against return to their home countries.

Vermont police defend officers’ conduct during federal immigration operation

2026-03-21

State and local law enforcement officials in Vermont defended officers’ conduct during clashes with protesters during a federal immigration operation last week in South Burlington, as lawmakers questioned whether the violence violated state police policy. At a Statehouse hearing Thursday, Col. Matthew Birmingham of the Vermont State Police and others said local officers acted professionally and were present to help keep everyone safe. Activists and lawmakers described competing accounts of how the operation escalated and who should be held responsible.

Minnesota judge grants clergy access to ICE holding facility

2026-03-21

A federal judge in Minnesota granted an injunction allowing clergy to conduct in-person pastoral visits to detainees at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Minneapolis. The ruling came after clergy groups including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ and a Catholic priest sued the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE releases Tennessee Spanish-language reporter on bond

2026-03-20

A Spanish-language reporter in Tennessee who said she was wrongly held in U.S. immigration detention for more than two weeks was released Thursday after posting a bond recently allowed by a judge, her attorneys said. Estefany Rodríguez Flórez, who was arrested March 4 during a traffic stop and held in Alabama and Louisiana, will continue fighting what her lawyers describe as a wrongful detention case.

Mexican teen dies in ICE custody at Florida county jail

2026-03-20

The 19-year-old Mexican migrant Royer Perez-Jimenez died at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held him, ICE said. ICE said an officer found him unconscious and unresponsive early Monday, and the agency said staff began cardiopulmonary resuscitation before fire rescue deputies initiated life-sustaining interventions. The official cause of death remains under investigation.

Asylum claim denied for family of bunny-hat boy detained in Minneapolis

2026-03-20

An immigration judge denied the asylum claim for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old photographed in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack when he was detained with his father in a Minneapolis-area crackdown earlier this year, a family lawyer said. The judge ordered the family deported to Ecuador, and the family is appealing the ruling. The arrests and national coverage unfolded as federal immigration officers carried out a surge of raids that prompted protests and two federal shootings of American citizens.

States move to limit masked federal immigration agents and other police

2026-03-20

Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a Washington state law restricting law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that obscure their identities during public interactions, following a court fight over a California ban for federal immigration agents. The move is part of a broader wave of state legislation that seeks to counter complaints that masked agents can operate with less accountability during immigration enforcement.

Last immigrant detained in Trump campus crackdown is freed on bond

2026-03-18

Just over a year after the Trump administration began an immigration enforcement campaign tied to pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses, Leqaa Kordia was released on Monday after a judge’s repeated orders were not resisted further. Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman and daughter of a U.S. citizen, had been held in detention since her arrest on March 13, 2025, in New Jersey.

Gregory Bovino to retire soon as Border Patrol’s El Centro chief

2026-03-18

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who became a visible face of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, told The Associated Press on March 17 that he plans to retire in the coming weeks. Bovino, 55, has led operations across multiple cities and later headed the agency’s El Centro, California, sector.

Trump’s DHS pick Mullin poised to inherit a department beset by challenges

2026-03-16

Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, would face immediate pressure on immigration enforcement and a congressional funding lapse if confirmed, Associated Press reported. The nomination comes as lawmakers argue over changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and as airports confront long security lines tied to a monthslong fight over DHS funding.

Trump mass deportations at crossroads with DHS shake-up

2026-03-15

The Trump administration’s incoming leadership at the Department of Homeland Security is becoming a focus for lawmakers as Republicans weigh how to carry out the president’s mass-deportation agenda. A Senate confirmation process for President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the department—Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma—adds urgency to questions about whether immigration enforcement will change or expand. The debate is unfolding as the administration aims to remove about 1 million immigrants from the United States this year while Democrats seek limits on routine funding.

Supreme Court to hear case on ending TPS protections for Haiti, Syria

2026-03-15

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in April over a Trump administration push to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for people from Haiti and Syria, the Supreme Court said. On Monday, the court declined to immediately lift the protections for hundreds of thousands of people, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. legally while the case proceeds.

Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia released from U.S. immigration detention

2026-03-15

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman who had been held in U.S. immigration detention in Texas since last March, was released Monday after about a year in custody following immigration judge rulings that ordered her release on bond. Her case became part of a broader crackdown tied to pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses after the Trump administration’s 2025 actions, the Associated Press reported.

Afghan immigrant dies in Texas hospital after ICE detention

2026-03-15

An Afghan man who had worked with the U.S. military died at a Texas hospital after immigration authorities detained him, according to federal officials and a family statement. Dallas County Medical Examiner staff said the cause of death was still pending as investigators reviewed the case after the detention began last week.

HRW says Salvador deportees detained in El Salvador and disappeared

2026-03-15

El Salvador has arbitrarily detained people it received after deporting them from the United States, and some have disappeared into the prison system, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Monday. The report says Salvadorans deported since January 2025 have been held without family contact or access to lawyers, including at the Central American country’s CECOT prison.

US judge pauses end of protected status for Somali immigrants

2026-03-15

A U.S. district judge in Massachusetts temporarily paused the termination of Temporary Protected Status for some Somali immigrants, setting an administrative stay as both sides prepare for further court briefing. The decision means people with TPS status or pending TPS applications retain protections, including eligibility for work authorization and protection against deportation and detention, while the case proceeds.

Afghan veteran who aided U.S. dies in Texas ICE custody within 24 hours of detention

2026-03-15

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41‑year‑old Afghan who served alongside U.S. special forces, died at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on March 16, 2026 less than 24 hours after being taken into ICE custody. Federal officials said Paktyawal was arrested on fraud and theft charges, but his family and a local resettlement group disputed the government’s characterization and said the former baker was healthy when he arrived at the detention center. U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who visited the Dallas ICE field office, called the death “unanswered” and questioned why Paktyawal was targeted.

Human rights report says US-deported Salvadorans are arbitrarily detained

2026-03-15

Human Rights Watch said Salvadorans deported from the United States have been arbitrarily detained in El Salvador and have disappeared into the prison system, according to a report released Monday. The group said it interviewed relatives and lawyers of people deported between March and October 2025 who were immediately detained after arriving in El Salvador.

Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia freed on $100,000 bond in Texas

2026-03-15

A Palestinian woman held in U.S. immigration detention in Texas for about a year was released Monday after an immigration judge granted bond, according to the Department of Homeland Security and the judge’s ruling. Leqaa Kordia, 33, had been detained since last March after the Trump administration’s 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.

Supreme Court to hear challenge to migrant protections for Haitians, Syrians

2026-03-15

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in April on the Trump administration’s effort to end temporary legal protections for migrants from Haiti and Syria, a case that could affect hundreds of thousands of people. The court also declined to immediately lift the protections on Monday, allowing recipients to continue living and working in the United States legally while the litigation proceeds.

Trump faces pressure on mass deportations as DHS nominee heads to hearings

2026-03-15

President Donald Trump is facing new pressure over his mass-deportation agenda as Republicans consider a nominee to take over the Department of Homeland Security after Kristi Noem leaves, the Associated Press reported. The issue is set to become a focus this week when Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma appears for Senate confirmation hearings.

US judge pauses end of TPS protections for some Somali immigrants

2026-03-15

A U.S. judge in Massachusetts temporarily paused the termination of Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, averting a planned end of the designation on Tuesday. The judge said letting the TPS status expire would have “weighty” consequences, after advocates sought an emergency order. The ruling keeps TPS recipients and people with pending TPS applications eligible for work authorization and protection against deportation and detention while the court reviews the emergency motion.

Trump administration stops releasing key immigration numbers, AP finds

2026-03-14

The Trump administration has stopped updating or removed key datasets used to track immigration enforcement, leaving researchers, lawyers and journalists without figures they previously relied on, according to an Associated Press review. The Office of Homeland Security Statistics, which has tracked immigration data dating to 1872, has not updated key enforcement metrics on its website since early last year, and monthly reports were described as “delayed while it is under review.” The gaps come as the administration promotes a deportation agenda that includes goals to deport 1 million people and to report zero releases at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump administration stops releasing key immigration data, researchers say

2026-03-14

The Trump administration has stopped updating or fully publishing key immigration-enforcement data, leaving researchers, lawyers and journalists struggling to find reliable metrics, according to a U.S. assessment of immigration statistics and interviews. The U.S. Office of Homeland Security Statistics, which has tracked enforcement trends since 1872, has key enforcement numbers on its website delayed or not updated for months, and experts say published figures have become harder to verify.

ICE replaces prime contractor at largest detention facility

2026-03-14

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is terminating the contractor running its largest detention facility in El Paso, Texas, and replacing it with Amentum Services, the agency said. The contractor switch at Camp East Montana comes amid scrutiny of detainees’ living conditions and allegations of overcrowding, medical neglect and other problems.

Federal order seeks major capacity increase at proposed Arizona ICE center

2026-03-14

The Biden administration has released a federal procurement order seeking to increase the number of people held at a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Marana, Arizona, according to documents described by Arizona Luminaria and immigration advocates. A former state prison in Marana would be run by private operator Management and Training Corporation, the order says.

Federal order targets higher capacity at proposed Marana ICE detention site

2026-03-14

A federal procurement order would expand the planned capacity of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Marana, Arizona, from a state-documented 513 beds to a requested 775, according to the order and state records. Immigration attorney Daniela Ugaz said the increase would raise risks for people held there, including abuse and medical neglect.

ICE replaces contractor at largest detention camp, citing conditions

2026-03-14

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday it is replacing the contractor that has run its largest detention facility at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, with a new prime contractor. The move comes after scrutiny of living conditions detainees described as inhumane since the camp’s hasty construction and opening last year.

2 Ohio pastors emerge as allies for Haitian migrants during Trump crackdown

2026-03-13

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, March 13, 2026 — Two Ohio pastors, Reginald Silencieux and Carl Ruby, have emerged as outspoken allies for Haitian migrants in Springfield who fear deportation amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Both pastors say they have offered shelter in their churches, legal and community support, and religious services in Creole and English as the Haitian community faces threats tied to recent misinformation.

Eswatini receives third batch of U.S. deportees under Trump deals

2026-03-13

Four more African migrants deported from the United States arrived in Eswatini, authorities said Thursday. The government said the latest group includes a Tanzanian, a Sudanese and two Somali nationals who are to be repatriated to their home countries, while talks continue for other people sent under U.S. third-country agreements.

Immigration lawyers accuse Vermont prisons of impeding legal access

2026-03-13

Lawyers and advocates say Vermont’s Department of Corrections has made it harder for immigration detainees to meet with attorneys and receive interpretation help inside state prisons. They point to changes they say began after Jon Murad took over as interim commissioner, including limits on device access and reduced meeting access. Murad denied the characterization and said the department is enforcing policies and improving interpretation services.

Eswatini receives fourth group of migrants deported by U.S. under Trump administration

2026-03-13

Four African migrants arrived in the landlocked kingdom of Eswatini on Thursday, the third batch the United States has sent under the Trump administration’s secret third‑country deportation agreements. The group — a Tanzanian, a Sudanese and two Somali nationals — joins more than 40 people the U.S. has transferred to African states since July 2025 as part of a hard‑line immigration policy.

Eswatini Receives Third US Deportation Flight with African Migrants

2026-03-13

Four African migrants, including a Tanzanian and two Somalis, arrived in Eswatini on Thursday as part of the Trump administration's third deportation flight to the kingdom. The deportation is part of a broader, largely secretive US agreement with at least seven African nations to accept third-country nationals.

UN panel condemns Trump over racist hate speech and immigration crackdown

2026-03-12

A U.N.-backed panel of independent experts said racist hate speech by U.S. President Donald Trump and other U.S. political leaders, alongside a crackdown on immigration, has led to “grave human rights violations,” according to a decision issued Wednesday. The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it is urging the U.S. to suspend immigration enforcement operations at and near schools, hospitals and faith-based institutions while it evaluates whether immigration policies comply with international obligations.

ICE releases teen mariachi brothers after bipartisan criticism

2026-03-10

A family from South Texas said Monday that two teen brothers in a nationally recognized mariachi program were released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after bipartisan criticism of how the family was detained. The brothers, Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar, 18, and Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar, 14, were detained Feb. 25 along with their parents and their 12-year-old brother, before Antonio was released separately Monday from a facility in Raymondville, Texas.

Judge limits tear gas use during protests at Portland ICE building

2026-03-10

A federal judge in Oregon on Monday restricted federal officers from using tear gas and other chemical or projectile munitions during protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. The order came after a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists, who said they were sprayed with OC spray and hit with other munitions.

Videos challenge DHS account of fatal shooting of US citizen by immigration agent in Texas

2026-03-07

Body camera footage released Friday calls into question the Department of Homeland Security's account that Ruben Ray Martinez intentionally rammed a federal agent with his car before he was shot and killed. The videos — made public following public records requests by The Associated Press and other news organizations — show Martinez's car moving slowly through a South Padre Island, Texas, intersection in the seconds before HSI Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens fired three shots through the driver's side window on March 15, 2025. Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio, died of his wounds.

Appeals court blocks Trump bid to end TPS for 350,000 Haitians

2026-03-07

A federal appeals court ruled Friday against the Trump administration's effort to revoke Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States, dealing a setback to the administration's mass deportation campaign. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the decision 2-1, upholding a lower court's ruling that had blocked the revocation.

Portland judge bars tear gas from reaching apartment complex near ICE facility

2026-03-07

U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio on Friday restricted federal agents from deploying chemical munitions in quantities likely to reach Gray's Landing, an affordable housing complex adjacent to Portland's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, after the complex's property manager and tenants sued the federal government over months of involuntary tear-gas exposure during protests at the building. The ruling is the second time a federal judge in Oregon has imposed limits on tear-gas use at the Portland ICE facility; a separate court had previously issued a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists.

Faith leaders sue, press for ICE detention access during Lent and Ramadan

2026-03-07

Faith leaders from Catholic, Muslim, and Sikh communities are suing the federal government and pressing immigration authorities for greater access to detained migrants during the overlapping holy seasons of Lent and Ramadan. The number of people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has grown to as many as 75,000 from about 40,000 since President Donald Trump began his second term, spread across more than 225 sites nationwide, according to the Associated Press. A federal judge's order allowed clergy to hold an Ash Wednesday service at an Illinois facility, and a Muslim chaplain gained entry to a Texas detention center at the start of Ramadan — but clergy from multiple faiths say access remains inconsistent and, in some cases, has been entirely cut off.

Minneapolis businesses still reeling from immigration surge as Noem's firing brings little relief

2026-03-07

MINNEAPOLIS — The firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has done little to ease the economic damage to immigrant-owned and immigrant-serving small businesses in Minneapolis, where business owners, activists, and educators said Friday the losses from the nation's largest immigration enforcement surge continue to mount. Daniel Hernandez, who runs Colonial Market in south Minneapolis, said 10 of the 12 Latino small businesses renting space from him remain shuttered, and only one — an Ecuadorian ice cream shop — has been able to reopen since the operation began in December. "I don't know if my business will survive, being honest," Hernandez said. "The amount of damage is so big that I am afraid."

ICE arrests Nashville Spanish-language reporter; attorney says no warrant shown

2026-03-06

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Estefany Rodriguez Florez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias, a Spanish-language news outlet in Tennessee, during a traffic stop Wednesday, according to court documents filed in federal court in Nashville. Her attorney said she was not shown any arrest warrant at the time of her detention. ICE has asked a federal judge to deny her attorney's request for her immediate release.

911 calls document deaths and neglect at ICE's largest detention camp

2026-03-06

Emergency calls to 911 from Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas documented repeated suicide attempts, two detainee deaths, seizures, and untreated injuries at the nation's largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility at a rate of nearly one call per day for five months, according to records obtained by the Associated Press. The AP reviewed 130 calls placed between mid-August 2025 and Jan. 20, 2026, along with interviews with former detainees and court filings. The records described a facility housing an average of approximately 3,000 people per day in tent quarters where diseases spread and medical care was difficult to obtain. ICE data showed 80 percent of detainees at the camp had no criminal record.

911 calls and interviews raise concerns about ICE camp conditions in El Paso

2026-03-05

The Associated Press reported that 911 calls, interviews and court filings point to repeated medical and mental-health emergencies at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s largest detention camp, Camp East Montana, in El Paso, Texas. The reporting describes overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition, and distress, including repeated suicide attempts. The Department of Homeland Security rejected the claims, saying detainees receive food, water and medical care at a routinely cleaned facility.

Haitian man dies in ICE custody in Arizona after untreated toothache

2026-03-05

A Haitian man confined at an Arizona immigration detention center died at a hospital Monday after a tooth infection was left untreated, his brother said. Emmanuel Damas, 56, told medical staff at the Florence Correctional Center in mid-February that he had a toothache, but he was not sent to a dentist, his brother said. A county medical examiner listed Damas’ cause of death as “pending” as of Wednesday, while ICE officials announced another custody death earlier Wednesday.

For US Muslims, Ramadan unfolds amid immigration crackdown and Iran war

2026-03-05

Muslims across the United States are entering Ramadan with heightened worries about immigration enforcement, rising anti-Muslim rhetoric during election season, and the Iran war affecting families with loved ones in the Middle East, Associated Press reported. In cities including Paterson, New Jersey, and Minneapolis, community leaders said fear is limiting gatherings that are central to the holiday.

Kristi Noem defends DHS immigration actions and spending in Congress

2026-03-05

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and how the department spends billions of dollars during two days of testimony before congressional committees that followed the Minneapolis deaths of two protesters. Lawmakers pressed her on whether officers used excessive force and on questions ranging from a departmental spending campaign to an inspector general letter alleging obstruction.

CBP investigates Bovino for alleged anti-Jewish remarks about Minnesota prosecutor

2026-03-05

U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened an internal investigation Wednesday into Gregory Bovino, once the public face of the Trump administration's city-by-city immigration sweeps, after reports that he made disparaging comments about the Jewish faith of Daniel N. Rosen, the U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota. The inquiry was opened following a congressional letter about anonymous allegations, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said. DHS said the probe "does NOT indicate any confirmation of wrongdoing."

Haitian man dies in ICE custody in Arizona after untreated toothache

2026-03-04

Emmanuel Damas, 56, died at a hospital Monday after a tooth infection was left untreated while he was held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona, his brother said. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions, and a Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office report listed his cause of death as “pending” as of Wednesday.

Judge and Minnesota prosecutor clash during contempt hearing over immigrant property

2026-03-04

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 3, 2026—A federal judge clashed with the top U.S. prosecutor in Minnesota during a contempt hearing tied to immigration cases in which judges ordered the government to return personal property to people after they were detained and then freed. The judge said the case would be a “historic low point” for the U.S. attorney’s office if he held anyone in contempt and later acknowledged the two sides had become “a little testy and frosty.” The judge said he would decide whether U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen and others should be held in contempt for failing to follow orders, but he did not give a timeline for a ruling.

Judge suspends 7-day notice rule for lawmakers to visit ICE facilities

2026-03-04

A federal judge temporarily suspended a Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give seven days’ notice before visiting immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb said Monday that Democratic lawmakers are likely to show the requirement is illegal and exceeds statutory authority.

Walz, Ellison tell House panel Trump immigration crackdown hampered Minnesota fraud fight

2026-03-04

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison defended their fraud-fighting record before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, arguing that the Trump administration's mass immigration enforcement operation in their state has drained the prosecutorial resources needed to pursue Medicaid and other government fraud cases. Republicans on the panel accused the pair of stalling investigations, shielding wrongdoers to avoid disrupting a politically favored community, and failing taxpayers.

Noem defends DHS immigration enforcement after Minneapolis deaths

2026-03-04

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended her department’s immigration enforcement tactics before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, pushing back on Democrats’ criticism that she wrongly disparaged two protesters killed by federal officers in Minneapolis earlier this year. She said her remarks were based on reports from agents at the scene and argued officers faced “a serious and escalating threat” from what she called mischaracterizations of their work.

Minnesota prosecutor launches probe that could lead to charges against federal officers

2026-03-02

Minnesota’s Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced an investigation Monday that could bring charges against federal immigration officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, for alleged misconduct during a crackdown in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Moriarty’s office is examining 17 cases and will focus on incidents in Hennepin County as well as the deaths of two people killed during the operation.

ICE’s reopened Dilley center holds more children as families allege poor care

2026-03-01

The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement has increased the number of children and parents held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, according to an Associated Press analysis of data. The AP report says many children are detained longer than a 20-day limit set by a longstanding court order, and some parents described difficulties obtaining medical care for their children while they were held. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE disputed allegations raised by the AP.

Trump administration holds children in immigration detention for months

2026-03-01

A Texas detention center holding immigrant families has kept children detained for months, according to families, lawyers and child-rights advocates, as the Trump administration ramps up family detention again. The Associated Press described conditions at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, where several children experienced long detention beyond a 20-day court limit and families alleged poor medical care and mental-health harm. The AP also reported that ICE booked more than 3,800 children into detention during the first nine months of the administration, with many sent to Dilley.

Judge extends order protecting Minnesota refugees from arrest and deportation

2026-02-28

A federal judge in Minnesota extended an order blocking the arrest and deportation of refugees in the state who are lawfully in the U.S., as the case challenges a Trump administration policy announced this month. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim granted advocates’ request to turn a temporary restraining order issued in January into a preliminary injunction while the legal fight continues.

Trump administration orders new scrutiny of admitted refugees

2026-02-28

Their family spent years opposing Venezuela’s socialist system, then moved to the United States after obtaining refugee status. But in Minnesota, the Trump administration has detained and questioned refugees already admitted to the country, prompting lawsuits and a judge’s order extending protections for refugees in the state.

Judge says IRS broke law by disclosing taxpayer addresses to ICE

2026-02-28

A federal judge said the IRS broke the law by disclosing confidential taxpayer information “approximately 42,695 times” to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly is based on an IRS declaration filed earlier this month and concerns a data-sharing agreement between the IRS and DHS. The government is appealing, and the transfers have faced additional court blocks.

Hawaii lawmakers advance bills limiting cooperation with ICE in 2026 session

2026-02-28

Hawaii lawmakers are advancing multiple bills aimed at limiting state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities as the 2026 legislative session reaches midterm. Advocates and lawmakers said increased federal enforcement elsewhere—including Minnesota—has shifted lawmakers toward a more aggressive approach to protect immigrants and preserve civil liberties. Bills include proposals to restrict police involvement in immigration detention and to require agencies to advise people of their rights before interviews by federal immigration agents.

Border Patrol agents under scrutiny after Myanmar refugee found dead

2026-02-28

Border Patrol agents released a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar at a Buffalo fast-food restaurant days before he was later found dead, a case that has prompted scrutiny over what agents did after dropping him off and whether his family and lawyer were told his whereabouts, according to video and statements reported by AP.

Deadline looms for Babson student deported to Honduras as court order nears

2026-02-28

A federal deadline nears for the U.S. government to facilitate the return of a Babson College freshman mistakenly deported to Honduras, setting up renewed legal pressure on immigration officials. Her lawyers say federal agents wanted her to board a flight that could have led to detention in Texas, while the government said she failed to appear for a prearranged flight.

Family of Renee Good mourns her death after Minneapolis ICE shooting

2026-02-28

A family grieving Renee Good said she was “slow to anger, quick to love” after the 37-year-old was fatally shot Jan. 7 in Minneapolis during a federal crackdown involving immigration agents, according to an Associated Press report. Her parents and brothers spoke in Colorado about her life and their grief, as protests followed her death and another U.S. citizen was killed weeks later.

ICE operation at Columbia sparks questions after agents posed as police

2026-02-28

New York police responded to a 911 call at Columbia University about two “suspicious” men on Feb. 26, only to find U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducting an operation that Columbia said relied on posing as police. Immigration officials have said Ellie Aghayeva, a student from Azerbaijan, was arrested after her visa was overstayed.

Minnesota chief judge warns prosecutor and ICE: obey court orders or face contempt

2026-02-28

Federal Judge Patrick Schiltz warned Thursday that Minnesota’s top U.S. prosecutor and Immigration and Customs Enforcement must comply with court orders or face criminal contempt charges, after saying the government has repeatedly failed to follow directives. The warning followed a Feb. 9 email from U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen disputing Schiltz’s account of ICE noncompliance.

US cardinals and pope’s ambassador decry mass deportations, urge reconciling

2026-02-28

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Two American cardinals and the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. denounced what they called mass deportations in Minnesota tied to the federal government’s immigration crackdown, calling instead for reconciliation and humane solutions. Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis spoke during a Mass for migrants on Friday. The prelates said Catholic teaching supports border control for people convicted of serious crimes, but they said seeking to deport millions—including families who have lived in the U.S. for decades—is contrary to Catholic faith and basic human dignity.

Trump agreed to release Columbia student detained by ICE, Mamdani says

2026-02-27

Federal immigration authorities arrested a Columbia University student early Thursday, triggering protests on campus, but she was later released the same day after President Donald Trump agreed to free her, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. Mamdani said he raised concerns about Ellie Aghayeva’s arrest during a separate meeting with Trump, and DHS/ICE permitted her to walk free shortly afterward.

Tennessee felony for officials voting for “sanctuary” policies ruled unconstitutional

2026-02-27

Nashville officials and metro council members reached an agreed order in a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that threatened local elected officials with felony charges for supporting “sanctuary” immigration policies. Nashville Chancellor Russell Perkins signed the order on Wednesday after Tennessee’s attorney general declined to defend the provision.

Escondido residents protest ICE training at local gun range

2026-02-26

Residents in Escondido, California, have packed City Council meetings for weeks to protest a contract that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to train at a city police gun range, which they say they only recently learned about.

Supreme Court rejects GEO Group appeal in Colorado forced-work suit

2026-02-26

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against GEO Group, a private prison company, in a lawsuit brought by immigration detainees who alleged forced labor in Colorado. The justices declined to let GEO Group pursue a quick appeal of a lower-court decision, which the company had sought on the grounds it is immune from such suits as a government contractor, according to the Associated Press.

Police chief accused of choking student during Pennsylvania immigration protest

2026-02-26

Lawyers for Quakertown high‑school protesters say the 72‑year‑old police chief who joined a scuffle with students in Pennsylvania choked a 15‑year‑old girl, and that the teens acted in self‑defense. The attorneys contend the chief, Scott McElree, entered the confrontation without identifying himself, leading to aggravated‑assault charges that they plan to contest.

Police investigate death of nearly blind Myanmar refugee after Border Patrol drop-off

2026-02-26

A nearly blind refugee from Myanmar who disappeared after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Buffalo doughnut shop was found dead five days later, prompting a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of how federal agents handle vulnerable people, according to authorities and advocates. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the incident showed a “dereliction of duty,” while U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended the actions. Police said the county medical examiner ruled the death “health related,” a characterization the Erie County Department of Health later disputed.

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow ending Syria TPS legal protections

2026-02-26

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it end temporary legal protections for Syrian migrants, as lawsuits challenge the move. The government wants the court to lift a New York judge’s order pausing the Department of Homeland Security decision while the cases proceed, and also seek a broader ruling affecting similar immigration cases.

Judge blocks Trump ‘third country’ deportations to South Sudan

2026-02-26

A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled the Trump administration’s policy of deporting migrants to “third countries” where they have no ties is unlawful and must be set aside. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy suspended the ruling for 15 days so the government can appeal, and said migrants must receive “meaningful notice” and an opportunity to object before removal. The case had already reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year paused a prior order involving a flight of migrants to war-torn South Sudan.

Abogados buscan bloquear política de CBP que empuja a menores a autodeportarse

2026-02-26

Defensores legales presentaron una moción para frenar una política de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) que, según dicen, presiona a menores migrantes no acompañados a regresar voluntariamente a sus países. La solicitud fue presentada el martes en el sur de Texas, y busca impedir que la CBP aplique la práctica a niños guatemaltecos y ampliar la protección a otros países, con excepción de México y Canadá.

Texas grand jury rejects indictments in fatal shooting by immigration agent

2026-02-26

A Texas grand jury declined to hand up indictments after a case involving the March 15, 2025, fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez by a federal immigration agent during a traffic encounter, prosecutors said. The shooting was not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security until The Associated Press and other outlets reported it last week.

Trump highlights border drop in State of the Union amid enforcement fallout

2026-02-26

President Donald Trump told Congress that the U.S. southern border is secure and said that “zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States” in the past nine months. The Associated Press reported that Trump’s return to office in January 2025 has coincided with declines in border arrests, a rise in ICE arrests, and changes that affect detention and asylum outcomes. The AP also said Trump mentioned little of enforcement fallout in places such as Minneapolis and Chicago, where residents have protested federal officer tactics.

Appeals court lets Harris County keep immigrant legal aid program

2026-02-26

A Texas appeals court ruled on Feb. 25 that Harris County can continue funding legal aid for undocumented immigrants, rejecting Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down the program. The 15th Court of Appeals said Paxton did not provide evidence that the county’s grants harmed residents and said the state failed to explain why providing counsel to indigent people facing deportation is unconstitutional.

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to end Syrian migrants' legal protections

2026-02-25

The Justice Department on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a New York judge’s order and allow the Trump administration to end temporary protected status for about 6,100 Syrian migrants living in the United States. The request follows a decision by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to revoke the protections, arguing that the conflict in Syria no longer meets the criteria for TPS. A response to the administration’s emergency appeal is due March 4.

Supreme Court rejects GEO Group bid to hasten appeal in forced-work suit

2026-02-25

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against private prison company GEO Group in a procedural dispute over a lawsuit alleging immigration detainees in Colorado were forced to work and paid about $1 a day. The ruling means the case can proceed only after other steps in the lower court process, not via the quick appeal GEO sought.

Attorneys seek to halt CBP policy pressuring unaccompanied children to self-deport

2026-02-25

Legal advocates filed a motion on Tuesday seeking to stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection from urging some unaccompanied immigrant children—entering the country without parents—to voluntarily deport themselves under a policy introduced last year. The advocates said the approach, which they say began in September 2025, would undercut access to immigration procedures and expand detention threats, legal advocates wrote in court filings in McAllen, Texas.

DHS official says ICE agents will not be at polling places in midterms

2026-02-25

A Department of Homeland Security official told state election administrators that federal immigration agents will not be stationed at polling locations during the November midterm elections. Deputy assistant secretary Heather Honey made the pledge during a coordination call that included other federal agencies, according to statements shared by officials in Arizona, Oregon and Kentucky.

Trump administration sues New Jersey over limits on ICE arrests

2026-02-25

The Trump administration sued New Jersey in federal court in Trenton on Monday, challenging a state order that bars federal immigration agents from making arrests in certain nonpublic areas of state property. The Justice Department lawsuit targets Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Feb. 11 executive order, and New Jersey’s acting attorney general said the state will fight the case.

Court says IRS can share immigrants’ taxpayer data with ICE

2026-02-25

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., rejected a bid by an immigrant rights group to pause a tax-data sharing agreement between the IRS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The court declined to block the IRS from sharing certain names and addresses that could help identify people in the country illegally.

Witness in Texas immigration shooting case dies in car crash

2026-02-25

In San Antonio, the passenger in a car during a fatal 2025 shooting by a federal immigration agent in Texas died Saturday in a crash, according to a lawyer for the slain man’s family. Joshua Orta had given a statement to attorneys earlier that disputed the government’s account of how Ruben Ray Martinez was fatally shot.

Quakertown residents demand police chief resignation after student scuffle

2026-02-25

PHILADELPHIA—Residents in the Philadelphia-area community of Quakertown are calling for the police chief’s resignation after a scuffle with high school students protesting immigration enforcement policies, including footage showing the police chief grabbing a teenage girl’s neck. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said his office is investigating the incident.

ICE officer training 'deficient,' former agency lawyer tells Congress

2026-02-24

A former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyer told congressional Democrats on Monday that the agency's training program for deportation officers is "deficient, defective and broken," directly contradicting the Department of Homeland Security's assertion that recruits receive full preparation. Ryan Schwank, who managed the agency's officer training until resigning on Feb. 13, testified that the training has been dismantled and compressed far below what DHS publicly claims.

Federal regulators fine Colorado dairy over six deaths from toxic gas

2026-02-24

Federal workplace safety regulators announced proposed penalties totaling $246,609 on Tuesday against a Colorado dairy and two contractors over their failure to protect six workers who died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure in August 2025. The deaths occurred after a manure pipe disconnected in an enclosed space at Prospect Ranch in Keenesburg, about 35 miles northeast of Denver, shocking rural communities in the region.

'Abolish ICE' wins Chicago's snowplow-naming contest

2026-02-24

Chicago voters selected "Abolish ICE" as the winning name in the city's annual snowplow-naming contest, turning a municipal tradition into a political statement about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. The name carries a double meaning: both a reference to removing snow and a protest slogan against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Woman adopted by U.S. war veteran faces deportation to Iran

2026-02-23

The Trump administration has ordered an American woman adopted from Iran as a toddler to appear for removal proceedings, according to a Department of Homeland Security letter described by the Associated Press. The woman says the government’s action could mean a death sentence because she is a Christian and Iran is dangerous for Christians.

California allocates $35 million to aid immigrants amid Trump deportations

2026-02-23

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will allocate $35 million in state funding to help immigrant families facing the Trump administration's deportation efforts. The money, set aside by the state Legislature in the budget, will connect immigrant families with food assistance, legal services, and other basic needs, according to Kim Johnson, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.

Gay asylum-seeker deported to Cameroon despite U.S. judge's protection order

2026-02-22

A 21-year-old gay woman from Morocco was deported to Cameroon in February 2026 despite an explicit protection order from a U.S. immigration judge. Farah, identified by first name only for her safety, said she was handcuffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents three days before a scheduled hearing on her release and flown to a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison.

ICE quietly buys warehouses for detention center expansion

2026-02-21

The Department of Homeland Security has secretly purchased at least seven warehouses across Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas for immigration detention centers, spending $122.8 million on a single 826,000-square-foot facility in Socorro, Texas. Local officials say they learned about the purchases only after deed filings or news reports — with no federal notification before the deals closed.

Students in Savannah grieve teacher killed in crash with driver pursued by ICE

2026-02-21

Students in Linda Davis’ kindergarten and first-grade classes in Savannah, Georgia, mourned Thursday after the teacher was killed Monday in a crash involving a driver fleeing a traffic stop by U.S. immigration officers, authorities said. Local officials questioned whether the pursuit was necessary, and federal immigration officials said the driver was illegally in the country.

Federal agent killed Texas man during 2025 traffic stop, records show

2026-02-21

A 23-year-old Texas man was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a traffic control operation on South Padre Island in March 2025, according to documents released Friday by the Department of Homeland Security. The shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez had been reported by local media at the time, but the involvement of a federal Homeland Security Investigations agent was not disclosed until The Associated Press reported on the newly released records.

ICE purchases warehouses nationwide for expanded detention capacity

2026-02-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased warehouses in more than 20 towns across the United States as part of a $45 billion expansion of detention capacity. In many cases, local officials were not notified until after deals were completed. Some warehouse owners have refused to finalize sales after learning of ICE's intended use.

Democrats urge Census to drop citizenship question from 2026 practice

2026-02-20

Congressional Democrats urged the Census Bureau to remove a citizenship question from a 2026 practice test that would use the American Community Survey, warning it could deter immigrants from participating. The on-the-ground tests in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, are scheduled to begin next month, congressional Democrats said.

Federal judge slams Trump immigration crackdown in scathing ruling

2026-02-20

A federal judge on Wednesday sharply criticized the Trump administration’s approach to immigrant detention and deportations, saying the government is violating the law and due process. In a ruling by Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, California, the judge ordered the Homeland Security Department to notify many detained immigrants they may be eligible for bond and to give them access to a phone to call an attorney within an hour.

HUD proposes rule to require citizenship or eligible status in public housing

2026-02-20

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday proposed a rule that would limit HUD-funded public housing to citizens and eligible noncitizens, requiring residents to show proof of citizenship or eligibility. Housing advocates warned the proposal could lead to tens of thousands of evictions, including for mixed-status families where some household members are eligible.

Federal agent fatally shot Texas man during traffic stop, documents show

2026-02-20

A federal immigration agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen on South Padre Island, Texas on March 15, 2025, newly released documents show. The Department of Homeland Security did not publicly disclose the death of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, until this week. DHS said the driver intentionally struck the agent, but a state investigator indicated video evidence contradicted that account.

New Trump order could lead to arrest of tens of thousands of refugees

2026-02-19

The Trump administration has issued a sweeping order that could allow federal agents to arrest tens of thousands of refugees who are lawfully in the U.S. but do not yet have permanent residency, according to a memo filed by the Department of Homeland Security. The order applies to refugees in Minnesota ahead of a Thursday hearing before U.S. District Judge John Tunheim over whether to extend protections that stop the arrests and deportations. Advocates and lawmakers said the government failed to offer a coherent legal basis for the policy.

Federal judge slams Trump administration immigration crackdown in ruling

2026-02-19

A federal judge on Wednesday issued a scathing decision criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to immigration detention and deportations, saying it illegally denied detained people a path to bond and violated a prior order. U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, California ordered the Department of Homeland Security to notify certain immigrants about potential eligibility for bond and to provide them phone access to contact attorneys within an hour.

Savannah students mourn teacher killed in crash after ICE pursuit

2026-02-19

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Students in kindergarten and first grade classes at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School mourned the teacher who was killed Monday when a pickup truck crashed into her car during a pursuit by U.S. immigration officers, local and federal authorities said. Linda Davis, 52, was killed less than a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the school where she worked with special needs students.

Democrats seek limits on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota

2026-02-18

Minnesota’s Legislature opened its session Tuesday with Democrats seeking new limits on federal immigration officers in the state while Republicans plan to focus on fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. The political fight comes as federal immigration enforcement winds down but its effects continue to reverberate at the Minnesota Capitol through the session that runs through May.

Driver fleeing ICE traffic stop crashes, kills teacher near Georgia school

2026-02-18

A Guatemalan driver accused of fleeing a Georgia traffic stop by federal immigration officers crashed outside Savannah on Monday, killing Linda Davis, a special education teacher headed to work, authorities and school officials said. The driver, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, remained jailed Tuesday on charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving without a valid license.

Judge rules ICE cannot re-detaine Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ending detention

2026-02-18

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran deportee and long-running legal fight involving U.S. immigration authorities, is no longer being held in immigration detention, a Maryland federal judge ruled Feb. 17, 2026. The decision blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement from re-detaining him after an earlier Maryland order requiring his immediate release.

Authorities investigate alleged ICE beating that left man with skull fractures

2026-02-18

Minnesota and federal authorities are investigating an allegation that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers beat a Mexican citizen during an arrest in St. Paul last month, leaving him with eight skull fractures and hospitalization in an intensive care unit. The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of whether surveillance footage from the arrest site captured what happened. ICE has said the man injured himself while handcuffed, but hospital staff told The Associated Press that the injuries were not consistent with a fall.

Immigration judge halts deportation of Mohsen Mahdawi in procedural ruling

2026-02-18

A U.S. immigration judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian legal permanent resident who led protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. The judge, Nina Froes, said the case was terminated because government attorneys failed to properly certify an official document they planned to use as evidence.

New Maryland law halts some ICE cooperation by local sheriffs

2026-02-18

Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed a law this week that bars state and local law enforcement agencies from entering cooperative agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the federal 287(g) program, according to the Associated Press. The change is expected to affect multiple Maryland sheriffs and counties that have been turning detainees over to ICE under deputization-style arrangements.

Pennsylvania man in immigration custody after conviction overturned

2026-02-17

A Pennsylvania man whose murder conviction was overturned after 43 years in prison is being held by federal immigration authorities while he fights deportation. Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson denied bail during a Tuesday hearing in New Jersey, according to court records and a lawyer. Subramanyam Vedam will remain in custody while he appeals a 1999 deportation order.

US deports more third-country migrants to Cameroon, lawyers say

2026-02-17

Lawyers for some deported migrants told The Associated Press that a second deportation flight from the United States to Cameroon arrived in Yaounde on Monday, days after a report said nine people were sent secretly last month to a country where they have no ties.

Homan says “small” security force will remain in Minnesota

2026-02-16

Tom Homan, the White House border czar, said more than 1,000 immigration agents have left the Twin Cities area and that additional agents will depart in the coming days as the Trump administration draws down its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota. Homan told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that a “small” security force will remain for a short period to protect remaining agents, while officers will keep investigating fraud allegations and responding to protests.

No clear path to ending partial shutdown as DHS oversight talks stall

2026-02-16

Lawmakers and the White House offered no sign of compromise Sunday in a fight over oversight of federal immigration officers that has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the Associated Press reported. A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal to fund the department through September.

Homeland Security funding lapse begins amid ICE and TSA dispute

2026-02-16

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired Saturday, starting a new, narrowly confined government shutdown as White House and Democrats miss a deal. Democrats are linking future DHS money to limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda after fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month.

Chicago teen whose father was held in immigration case dies from cancer

2026-02-16

Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo, 16, died Friday after battling stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, her family said. The teen had spoken publicly for the release of her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, who was held in a Chicago-area deportation case tied to “Operation Midway Blitz.” An immigration judge in Chicago ruled days before her death that Maldonado was conditionally eligible for “cancellation of removal,” according to an attorney representing him.

Video evidence contradicts immigration officials’ accounts of shootings

2026-02-15

Federal authorities launched an investigation into two immigration officers after video evidence raised questions about whether they made untruthful statements under oath about a Minneapolis shooting. The probe came hours after a federal judge dismissed felony assault charges in a separate case after prosecutors said new video contradicted allegations in the criminal complaint.

Feds investigate if ICE officers lied about Minneapolis shooting

2026-02-14

Federal authorities opened a criminal probe into whether two immigration officers lied under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director said this week. All charges were dropped earlier Friday against two Venezuelan men accused of assaulting an ICE officer during the Jan. 14 incident.

4 indicted in Minneapolis clashes, including woman accused of biting finger

2026-02-14

Four people were indicted on federal charges tied to clashes with federal officers in Minneapolis, including a woman accused of biting off an immigration officer’s fingertip, the Justice Department said. Another three defendants were charged in connection with threats and communications sent to FBI agents after the agents’ personal information was stolen and posted online, according to court filings.

ICE plans $38.3B detention expansion to reach about 92,000 beds by November

2026-02-14

Federal immigration officials plan to spend $38.3 billion to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention capacity, according to a document released Friday that lays out a mix of new regional processing centers and existing “turnkey” sites. The plan calls for up to about 92,600 beds by November as ICE purchases warehouses to convert them into detention and processing facilities.

Federal judge orders return of Babson student deported to Honduras

2026-02-14

A federal judge in Boston ordered the U.S. government to return a Babson College student deported to Honduras while traveling for Thanksgiving, granting the government two weeks to retrieve her. The judge said he hoped the Trump administration would find a solution after acknowledging a mistaken deportation.

Don Lemon pleads not guilty in Minnesota church protest

2026-02-14

Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday to federal civil rights charges tied to a protest at a Minnesota church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor. Four other people also entered not-guilty pleas, and one civil rights attorney representing the defendants said they plan to seek transcripts from a normally secret grand jury.

Trump’s immigration surge ends in Twin Cities, but its effects linger

2026-02-14

Minneapolis and St. Paul officials said relief is tempered by lingering financial strain after the Trump administration ended its Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. The Department of Homeland Security said it was the largest immigration enforcement operation ever, but the pushback intensified after the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Federal judge orders DHS to give Minnesota detainees access to lawyers

2026-02-13

A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to give immigrants detained in Minnesota prompt access to attorneys after they are taken into custody and before they are transferred out of state. The judge said detainees at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building faced barriers to contacting legal counsel, citing logistical problems and limits that she found interfered with constitutional rights.

Palestinian woman held in Texas ICE jail says she suffered seizure after fainting

2026-02-13

Palestinian immigration detainee Leqaa Kordia said she suffered a seizure after fainting and hitting her head while being held for nearly a year in a privately run immigration detention facility in Texas. Kordia, 33, said she was hospitalized for three days after the episode and returned to the Prairieland Detention Facility. The Department of Homeland Security said she was not being mistreated and was receiving proper medical care.

AP-NORC poll finds independents increasingly disapprove of Trump immigration tactics

2026-02-13

In a new AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say President Donald Trump has “gone too far” in sending federal immigration agents into American cities and using federal law enforcement at public protests. The survey, conducted Feb. 5-8, finds Trump’s approval on immigration remains steady overall, but his standing among independents has worsened since last spring.

Timeline of Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota

2026-02-13

The Trump administration has announced the end of a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota after about two and a half months, a reported 4,000 arrests and two fatal shootings by immigration officers in the Twin Cities, the Associated Press reported. The crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, drew daily protests and clashes in Minneapolis-St. Paul and included arrests tied to a separate, Minnesota housing services fraud case, according to the timeline.

Border czar Tom Homan says Minnesota immigration crackdown is ending

2026-02-13

Minneapolis-area and other Minnesota communities will see the end of the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge,” border czar Tom Homan said Thursday. The drawdown follows thousands of arrests, mass protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during the crackdown, which began in December, Homan said. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz urged continued vigilance as lawmakers debate whether to impose restraints on immigration officers tied to DHS funding.

Minneapolis weighs next steps for memorials at federal officers’ shooting sites

2026-02-13

Minneapolis is leaving in place two makeshift memorials for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens killed by federal agents last month, as officials consider how to manage the sites as grieving continues. City leaders said the locations will remain accessible in the short term while Minneapolis “actively [works] on next steps” through community engagement, and a mayor’s spokesperson said it is “too early” to decide whether the memorials will be made permanent.

Sen. Rand Paul shows video of Alex Pretti’s death in ICE hearing

2026-02-13

In a tense Senate hearing on Feb. 12, Sen. Rand Paul questioned federal immigration officers’ tactics after Alex Pretti was shot and killed in Minneapolis. Paul told the immigration chiefs to watch a video of Pretti’s death moment by moment, while the acting ICE director and CBP chief disputed Paul’s characterization and said investigations into excessive force are under way.

Homeland Security shutdown seems certain as DHS funding talks stall

2026-02-13

Homeland Security shutdown appears likely as negotiations between the White House and Senate and House Democrats stall over demands for limits on immigration enforcement. Lawmakers were preparing to leave Washington for a 10-day break, setting up a potential funding lapse, Democrats said. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the latest White House offer did not include sufficient curbs on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after two protesters were fatally shot last month.

Judge orders Trump to let some Venezuelans return from El Salvador prison

2026-02-13

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to make arrangements for some Venezuelans deported to a prison in El Salvador to return to the United States at the government’s expense, and to allow them to challenge their removals. In Thursday’s ruling, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg criticized the government’s responses to an earlier order that sought a process for the men to contest deportation decisions.

Legal hurdles persist for detainee access at Florida “Alligator Alcatraz”

2026-02-13

Attorneys for detainees at a state-run immigration facility in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” said Thursday they still face obstacles reaching clients as a federal judge weighs their request for broader lawyer access. The attorneys told a U.S. district court in Fort Myers that detainees could not call them using staff cellphones and that the attorneys could not make unannounced visits, despite state claims the barriers have been removed.

Court filing says IRS mistakenly shared taxpayer data with DHS

2026-02-12

The IRS erroneously shared taxpayer information of thousands of people with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a court filing made public Feb. 11. The filing says the disclosure happened under a data-sharing agreement aimed at helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement identify and deport people in the U.S. illegally.

Judge refuses to pause TPS rollback for Haitians, reads threats in court

2026-02-12

A federal judge in Washington on Thursday declined to pause her ruling blocking the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for Haitians in the U.S. During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes read out death threats and profane messages she said she received after the decision. Reyes said she would not be intimidated as a lawsuit challenging the administration’s effort moves forward.

Target faces pressure as anti-ICE store protests move beyond Minnesota

2026-02-12

Activists planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores across the United States on Wednesday to pressure the discount retailer to take a public stand against a recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The ICE Out Minnesota coalition called for sit-ins and other demonstrations at Target locations for a full week, including outside stores in Minneapolis and in St. Paul.

Attorneys say records contradict government account in Chicago Border Patrol shooting

2026-02-12

A Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration crackdown last year is suing the federal government after attorneys released records they say contradict the government’s account of the case and its investigation. Attorneys said videos showed an agent steering his vehicle into Marimar Martinez’s car, and they released emails and other materials they say show the Department of Homeland Security spread misinformation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated and the agent involved, Charles Exum, was placed on administrative leave.

Helena investigated for potential Montana sanctuary-city ban violation

2026-02-12

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said he is investigating Helena for possible violations of the state’s sanctuary city ban after the city passed a resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Knudsen said Helena could face a fine of up to $10,000 for every five days it is found to be in violation of a 2021 state law requiring local cooperation with federal immigration agents.

Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end soon

2026-02-11

Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota will end in “days, not weeks and months,” based on recent conversations with top Trump administration officials. Walz said he spoke Monday with border czar Tom Homan and Tuesday morning with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and he urged the administration to conclude the operation quickly.

ICE acting chief Todd Lyons questioned in Congress on immigration policies

2026-02-11

Todd Lyons, the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, faced sharp questions in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Tuesday about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Lyons and other agency leaders declined to answer some questions about two shooting deaths in Minneapolis, saying investigations were ongoing, and he also rejected calls to require officers to remove masks.

Crimes charged against ICE personnel since 2020

2026-02-11

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020 in a pattern that includes physical and sexual abuse, corruption and other alleged misuses of authority, an Associated Press review found. The AP said such misconduct could become more common as ICE expands its enforcement workforce, following a congressional move last year to fund the agency’s growth.

Advocacy groups urge California to remove covert license plate readers

2026-02-11

More than two dozen privacy and advocacy organizations on Tuesday urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to remove a network of covert license plate readers deployed across Southern California, saying the devices feed data into a U.S. Border Patrol predictive intelligence program. The groups said they have identified dozens of readers in San Diego and Imperial counties, including units hidden in construction barrels.

ICE acting chief defends officers before Congress after deaths of 2 protesters

2026-02-11

Todd Lyons, the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended agency tactics before Congress Tuesday, saying officers conducting immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s agenda “will not be intimidated” even after the deaths of two Americans in shootings involving federal officers.

Immigrant groups seek to dismiss Missouri bid to exclude noncitizens from census

2026-02-11

Immigrant rights groups asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway that seeks to prevent the U.S. Census Bureau from counting people in the country illegally during the 2030 census. The groups, represented by multiple ACLU Foundation chapters, said the bid would violate the law and force a costly recount using 2020 census figures.

Judge blocks California mask ban for federal immigration agents

2026-02-11

A federal judge blocked a California law that would have barred federal immigration enforcement agents from wearing face masks while on duty, but ruled the agents must wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder, takes effect immediately and allows the state to require visible identification.

US citizens detained in Idaho immigration raid claim unconstitutional tactics

2026-02-11

Three Idaho families who are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are suing over an aggressive immigration raid at a rural horse racing track in October, saying federal and state agencies used unconstitutional tactics and detained people for hours. They allege officers detained people based on whether they appeared Latino, kept adults and some children in zip ties for hours without access to food, water or bathrooms, and searched individuals without reasonable suspicion. The lawsuit seeks class-action status, a declaration of civil-rights violations and damages.

Officials deny seeking end to asylum claims for 5-year-old Liam Ramos

2026-02-10

Federal immigration authorities have denied they tried to expedite the end of asylum proceedings for a Minneapolis family that includes a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos. The denials came after images of the child in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack were shared during a detention that drew outrage in the area.

Prolonged ICE detention rises in Trump’s second term, advocates say

2026-02-10

Prolonged immigration detention has become more common during President Donald Trump’s second term, with detainees and lawyers describing extended waits for immigration judges and worsening conditions in facilities in Florida, Texas and California. In one case, Nicaraguan asylum-seeker Felipe Hernandez Espinosa spent more than six months in custody before receiving a hearing date of Feb. 26, according to the Associated Press.

Masks in ICE operations become flashpoint as DHS shutdown deadline nears

2026-02-10

Federal immigration officers’ use of face masks has become a flashpoint in Congress as lawmakers weigh Homeland Security funding ahead of a partial shutdown deadline. Democrats are demanding “masks off” federal officers taking part in ICE operations, and are also pressing for body cameras, while ICE says officers wear masks to prevent doxing and that they identify themselves when required.

Judges say Trump immigration cases are overwhelming federal courts

2026-02-10

Federal judges say they are scrambling to manage an influx of habeas corpus lawsuits from immigrants detained under the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, with some warning of a growing “administrative judicial emergency.” In multiple districts, judges have issued orders aimed at securing bond hearings or temporary limits on removals after ruling that the administration’s mandatory detention policy conflicts with the law.

Policía arresta a docenas de manifestantes en protesta por la muerte de Renee Good

2026-02-10

Varias docenas de manifestantes fueron arrestados el sábado frente al Edificio Federal Bishop Henry Whipple en Minneapolis, después de que la policía disolviera una protesta por el primer mes del fallecimiento de Renee Good a manos de un agente de inmigración. El incidente ocurrió cuando la multitud lanzó botellas y hielo contra las fuerzas de seguridad, según autoridades locales.

Fact check: ICE detainee was not child shown with Bad Bunny

2026-02-10

Social media posts falsely identified a boy in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as a 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota. An AP fact check found the boy was instead Lincoln Fox Ramadan, a child actor from California, according to his Instagram.

Minnesotans crowdsource rent aid for immigrant families amid ICE pressure

2026-02-10

Minnesotans have launched a rapid wave of rent-relief efforts aimed at immigrant families facing eviction, as ongoing enforcement by ICE and other federal law enforcement keeps some residents from working. The Associated Press reports that Minneapolis resident Ashley Fairbanks started a social-media campaign that helped pay 12 families’ rent within hours and grew to dozens more within a day.

Reports of immigration agents in disguise stoke fears in Minnesota

2026-02-10

Minnesota residents and local advocates say federal immigration officers have impersonated construction workers, delivery drivers and others amid an immigration crackdown, including an encounter in the suburbs where a restaurant worker confronted two men he believed were pretending to be utility workers. A Homeland Security and ICE spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the men were federal agents. Legal observers say the reports—some not verified—are increasing distrust and confusion about law enforcement activity.

Trump’s immigration agenda sparks political storm at Winter Olympics

2026-02-10

At the Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. athletes’ remarks about President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda have become a point of political contention as the games opened. Vice President JD Vance called the event “one of the few things that unites the entire country,” but that message was quickly challenged after American skier Hunter Hess spoke about “mixed emotions” over representing the U.S.

Fifth Circuit backs Trump administration on immigrant detention without bond

2026-02-08

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Trump administration can detain some immigrants without bond hearings, a decision that preserves a key element of the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. In a 2-1 ruling, judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said the Department of Homeland Security properly interpreted federal immigration law to bar bond for “unadmitted aliens” arrested anywhere in the United States.

Judge orders Trump administration to return 3 deported families

2026-02-08

A federal judge in San Diego ordered the Trump administration to return three families deported to Honduras after the government said they had left the United States voluntarily, according to a court order. The judge said the deportations were based on “lies, deception and coercion,” and required the government to pay for the families’ return travel costs.

Minneapolis arrests protesters marking 1-month anniversary of Renee Good death

2026-02-08

Several dozen protesters were arrested Saturday outside a federal building in Minneapolis while marking the one-month anniversary of Renee Good, a Minnesota woman who was killed by an immigration officer in January, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s office. Protesters threw bottles and sex toys, and later threw chunks of ice, prompting police to declare the gathering unlawful and order people to leave, the sheriff’s office said. Organizers also held a separate memorial event in a Minneapolis park.

ICE beating allegation leads to calls for inquiry in Minnesota

2026-02-08

The case centers on Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, 31, who told the Associated Press he was badly beaten by U.S. immigration officers during an arrest in Minnesota on Jan. 8, suffering eight skull fractures and multiple life-threatening brain hemorrhages. ICE personnel told nurses he “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall,” but a CT scan showed injuries doctors said were inconsistent with a fall, according to court filings and medical records described by AP. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to repeated requests for comment, and Minnesota elected officials and local prosecutors have urged further action.

Federal government faces deadline in Minnesota ICE facility case

2026-02-07

Federal attorneys face a deadline next week to reach an agreement with human-rights lawyers over access to legal counsel for people detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota, a judge said. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel set the deadline after hearing arguments Friday from both sides, including conflicting claims about whether detainees can meet with lawyers and make calls without ICE monitoring.

Minnesota immigration crackdown puts school attendance out of reach

2026-02-06

In Minnesota, immigrant families say federal immigration enforcement operations have turned day-to-day school attendance into a risk they manage through prayer, driving changes and sometimes keeping children home. The Associated Press reported that children have been detained after leaving school, including a 5-year-old who was sent to a detention facility in Texas and later released after a judge ordered it.

Man arrested over alleged cyberstalking in Minnesota ICE crackdown

2026-02-06

A Minneapolis man was arrested after federal prosecutors said he made online threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and against a person who supported ICE during a federal crackdown in Minnesota, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday. Prosecutors said the man used an Instagram account to dox a “pro-ICE individual” by publishing personal details, and then posted messages urging followers to confront and assault federal officers, the complaint says.

NY attorney general to deploy legal observers overseeing federal immigration agents

2026-02-06

La fiscal general de Nueva York, Letitia James, anunció planes para desplegar observadores legales que supervisen las medidas federales de control migratorio en el estado, con el objetivo de reunir información que pueda servir de base para futuras acciones legales. Los observadores llevarán chalecos morados y se enviarán a zonas donde se reporte actividad migratoria, dijo James. La iniciativa llega en medio de una escalada de tensiones por la campaña migratoria del presidente Donald Trump, tras la muerte a tiros de dos ciudadanos estadounidenses en Minnesota.

Ugandan minister Steven Tendo detained by ICE in Vermont

2026-02-06

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who came to Vermont while seeking asylum, was detained Wednesday morning in Shelburne by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a union representing his workplace and the advocacy group Migrant Justice. ICE transferred him to a facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, and as of Wednesday evening he was held at the Strafford County Jail in Dover, New Hampshire, the sources said.

Noem says immigration officers in Minneapolis will wear body cameras

2026-02-05

WASHINGTON — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that every Homeland Security officer on the ground in Minneapolis, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, will be issued body-worn cameras. Noem said the program will expand nationwide as funding becomes available, citing a need for quicker acquisition and deployment after recent shootings of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement activity in the city.

Federal judge restricts warrantless immigration arrests in Oregon

2026-02-05

A federal judge in Oregon ruled U.S. immigration agents must not arrest people without warrants unless authorities can show a likelihood of escape, issuing a preliminary injunction on Wednesday. The order stems from a proposed class-action lawsuit challenging arrests during immigration enforcement operations. The judge said actions by agents in Oregon were “violent and brutal,” and he warned that the government has been undermining due process.

New Orleans police deny wrongdoing after recruit detained by ICE

2026-02-05

New Orleans police said they did not violate federal immigration law after a recruit, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said ICE arrested Temah, who has a final removal order, while he was in the police academy.

Minnesota immigration crackdown shifts under ICE as agencies clash

2026-02-05

White House border czar Tom Homan said the administration is unifying enforcement in Minnesota under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after months of internal grumbling between ICE and the Border Patrol over tactics. Homan said operations in the Twin Cities are being consolidated under ICE’s enforcement and removal unit to establish a “unified chain of command.”

Homeland Security shutdown more likely as GOP rebuffs Democratic demands

2026-02-05

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic,” warning the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if Democrats and Republicans do not negotiate a DHS spending bill with the White House. Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, say they will not support the measure when funding runs out unless there are “dramatic changes” at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month.

Democrats threaten to block DHS funding unless ICE changes

2026-02-05

Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security when current authority expires in two weeks unless the government implements “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement, Democratic leaders said. The negotiations come as Congress reviews potential new rules for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after officers shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters in January, and as talks unfold amid mixed bipartisan sentiment about de-escalating tensions.

Homan says 700 immigration officers to leave Minnesota immediately

2026-02-05

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s “border czar,” said Wednesday that about 700 federal immigration officers are being withdrawn immediately from Minnesota. Homan said the administration will keep carrying out an immigration enforcement operation in the state, which has drawn weeks of tensions and deadly confrontations, while citing new cooperation from state and local officials.

Local leaders describe hostile relationship with Trump’s Washington

2026-02-05

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said he has expanded local planning to consider the possibility of federal officials targeting Denver, after President Donald Trump deployed federal forces to some U.S. cities over objections from local leaders. Over the past week, mayors and governors from both parties described a more hostile dynamic with Washington, hardened in part after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month.

New York to send legal observers to monitor federal immigration agents

2026-02-05

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced plans to deploy legal observers in areas where federal immigration agents carry out enforcement actions in the state. The observers would collect information that could inform future legal action, and would not interfere with enforcement. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she will pursue legislation this year that would allow people to sue federal officers who act outside the scope of their duties and proposals to limit immigration agents’ presence at certain locations without warrants.

SBA to bar green card holders from its loan program starting March 1

2026-02-05

The U.S. Small Business Administration said it will bar green card holders from applying for SBA loans starting March 1, according to a policy note. The agency said the change is part of efforts to tighten loan restrictions and restructure the SBA. The SBA said it will no longer guarantee loans for small businesses owned by foreign nationals, and an advocacy group criticized the move.

Super Bowl heads into politics fight as Bad Bunny, ICE debate heat up

2026-02-04

In the run-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the NFL faces mounting pressure to state whether it will keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of the game. Bad Bunny, who has criticized President Donald Trump and ICE, is set to headline the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing both backlash and praise as the event is watched as a proxy for broader national tensions.

ICE faces pushback as cities resist new detention facilities

2026-02-04

Federal immigration officials have begun scouting and purchasing warehouses to expand detention and processing space, prompting pushback from local leaders and property owners in multiple states. In several places, city and county officials said they were not told in advance, while others warned that federal acquisition could bypass local zoning or permitting rules.

Trump’s ICE detention plans face local resistance across U.S.

2026-02-04

Tens of thousands of immigrants are being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the Trump administration expands detention facilities with a reported $45 billion plan, prompting pushback from cities and states. Communities in multiple states have raised concerns as ICE looks to convert warehouses and use jail beds, with legal experts saying local governments have limited power to block federal use of private property.

Judge limits tear gas temporarily at protests outside Portland ICE building

2026-02-04

A federal judge in Oregon on Tuesday temporarily restricted federal officers from using tear gas at protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. The judge, Michael Simon, issued a 14-day order following a lawsuit by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists.

Immigration operation names draw praise and anger from U.S. lawmakers

2026-02-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s tongue-in-cheek names for immigration enforcement operations and detention facilities have drawn polarizing reactions, with some Democrats calling the branding racist and degrading while some Republicans say it shows seriousness about securing the border. In Florida, officials have used “Operation Dirtbag,” in Louisiana “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” and in Maine “Operation Catch of the Day,” according to the Associated Press.

Federal judge blocks Trump plan to end protections for Haitians

2026-02-03

A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians, granting a pause while a lawsuit challenging the termination proceeds. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the plaintiffs were likely to prevail and that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not have the discretion to end Haitian TPS without consulting other agencies and considering conditions in Haiti.

Activists arrested in Minneapolis while trailing immigration agents

2026-02-03

Immigration officers with guns drawn arrested activists who were trailing their vehicles in Minneapolis on Tuesday, while school leaders described rising fear among students and families in Minnesota amid federal immigration sweeps, according to Associated Press reports.

Brothers of Renee Good urge Congress action after Minneapolis death

2026-02-03

Brothers of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman who was killed in January by a federal immigration officer, asked Congress on Tuesday to rein in what they described as violence tied to immigration enforcement. Luke and Brett Ganger spoke during a congressional hearing convened by Senate Democrats to spotlight use-of-force complaints involving Homeland Security officers.

Father of 5-year-old detained in Minnesota disputes government account

2026-02-03

The father of a 5-year-old boy detained by U.S. immigration officers in Texas denied government assertions Monday that he abandoned his son while being pursued by authorities, according to statements to ABC News reported by The Associated Press. Adrian Conejo Arias said his son, Liam, became sick while in federal custody and that he was denied medicine. Homeland Security’s assistant secretary said the facts have not changed and reiterated that Arias fled on foot before he was arrested.

5-year-old and his dad return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas

2026-02-02

Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, returned to Minnesota on Sunday after a judge ordered their release from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas, the congressman who helped retrieve them said. Representative Joaquin Castro said Castro picked the pair up from Dilley, Texas, on Saturday night and escorted them home the following day.

Judge blocks Trump move to end TPS for Haitians in the U.S.

2026-02-02

A U.S. federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for Haitians in the United States as a lawsuit proceeds. The ruling came a day before the scheduled end of TPS protections for Haitians, according to the Associated Press.

Trump immigration crackdown ripples in Colorado’s swing House district

2026-02-02

The monthslong unrest tied to Trump’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota is reverberating in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, where Democrats and Republicans say the issue is shaping how voters view the November midterms. In interviews across the district, some Trump supporters said they accept immigration enforcement but worry agents are going after people for minor infractions, while Hispanic voters expressed fear that officers could target them or their families. The seat is held by Republican Gabe Evans, who campaigned narrowly in 2024 and has urged the administration to focus on deporting criminals.

Young people use Roblox to protest ICE and reenact immigration raids

2026-02-02

In online game Roblox, some young users have been staging virtual “ICE raids” and holding avatar protests against the U.S. immigration agency, according to a report Friday by the Associated Press. A Roblox spokesperson said the reenactments violate the company’s community standards and that the company takes “swift action” against users found to be breaking those rules.

Portland mayor demands ICE leave city after tear gas used at protest

2026-02-02

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave Portland after federal agents used tear gas, pepper balls and rubber bullets against demonstrators outside an ICE facility during a weekend protest. Witnesses said the crowd included young children, and paramedics were sent to treat people at the scene.

Attorneys, families struggle to find hospitalized ICE detainees

2026-02-02

Attorneys and family members say they are finding it extremely difficult to locate and communicate with people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after those detainees are taken to hospitals. In one case, Julio César Peña, detained in Glendale, Calif., was hospitalized after suffering a ministroke but his wife and his attorney said they could not get basic information about where he was or whether he was receiving care.

Capgemini to sell ICE-linked unit after France presses for transparency

2026-02-02

French technology company Capgemini said Sunday it will begin selling a subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as scrutiny grows over ICE tactics in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The company said it immediately will start the process to sell Capgemini Government Solutions, after French authorities urged it to explain its dealings with the agency.

Immigration raids protester sentenced to 4 years for Molotov attack on deputies

2026-02-02

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emiliano Garduno Galvez was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered destructive device and civil disorder for throwing a Molotov cocktail at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies during protests last spring against immigration raids.

Johnson says no quick House vote to end partial shutdown

2026-02-02

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that there will be “a few days” before the House votes on a government funding package to end a partial shutdown that began over the weekend. He said he is relying on President Donald Trump and lawmakers to keep a two-week Homeland Security funding plan on track while Democrats push for broader limits on U.S. immigration enforcement.

More prosecutors leave Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office, AP sources say

2026-02-02

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new wave of departures has hit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota, AP sources said Tuesday, as additional federal prosecutors leave amid frustration over the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and the Justice Department’s response to fatal shootings by federal agents. The most recent exits come after multiple attorneys left last month over disagreements about the Justice Department’s handling of the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer.

Judge declines to halt Minnesota immigration surge as lawsuit continues

2026-02-01

A federal judge in Minnesota refused to block a new immigration enforcement push in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities while a lawsuit filed by state and local officials proceeds. Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied a preliminary injunction sought by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul after the state argued the operation violated constitutional limits on federal power.

Judge orders release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father from ICE

2026-02-01

A federal judge ordered the release by Tuesday of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after they were detained in Minnesota and sent to a Texas facility. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, in a ruling issued Saturday, criticized the Trump administration’s enforcement approach and cited the case’s effect on children.

Nurses dispute ICE account of how immigrant suffered skull fractures

2026-02-01

In federal custody in Minnesota, a Mexican immigrant was taken to hospitals after suffering skull and brain injuries, with court records and lawyers alleging mistreatment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially said he “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall,” but Hennepin County Medical Center staff told The Associated Press the account could not explain the injuries. The episode has highlighted tensions between immigration enforcement and health care workers, federal detention officials and the hospital said.

Journalist Don Lemon charged for covering protest at Minnesota church

2026-01-31

Journalist Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles and later released after he was hit with federal civil rights charges tied to a Jan. 18 protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service, federal prosecutors said. The charges stem from an indictment in Minnesota alleging conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers. Lemon’s lawyer said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and fight the case.

Homan says immigration drawdown could happen in Minnesota after “cooperation”

2026-01-30

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, said Thursday the Trump administration could reduce the number of federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota, but only if state and local officials cooperate and protests stop interfering with federal operations. His comments came in Minneapolis after last weekend’s fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti.

New videos of Alex Pretti scuffle with federal agents emerge days after death

2026-01-30

New videos show Alex Pretti scuffling with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 13—11 days before he was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers, according to the Associated Press. The videos rekindled debate over the circumstances of Pretti’s death, including claims shared online by Donald Trump Jr.

Growing cultural revolt emerges against Trump’s immigration crackdown

2026-01-30

U.S. and global entertainment, technology and business leaders have increasingly voiced criticism of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, fueled by backlash over Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota and anger after the death of Alex Pretti. The criticism has spilled beyond politics, with public statements ranging from music and television to corporate memos, social media posts and sports commentary.

Minneapolis streets echo with protests as ICE raids draw rapid response

2026-01-30

Thousands of protesters and volunteer networks have continued to follow U.S. immigration enforcement activity through Minneapolis as federal agents arrest people across immigrant neighborhoods, according to reports from the Associated Press. The protests come as activists deploy whistles, encrypted messaging and on-the-ground legal and support efforts even after the White House took a more conciliatory tone following the killing of Alex Pretti.

Judge in Minnesota tries to keep ICE in check during mass sweeps

2026-01-30

In Minnesota, Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz described U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as failing to comply with nearly 100 court orders issued since Jan. 1 in cases tied to “Operation Metro Surge.” Schiltz, a conservative-leaning judge, said ICE “must follow” court orders unless they are overturned or vacated and ordered an appearance by ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, to address potential contempt.

Detainees pepper-sprayed at Florida immigration detention center

2026-01-30

MIAMI — Detainees were pepper-sprayed on Christmas Eve at a Florida immigration detention center officials have dubbed the “Deportation Depot,” according to the state. The Florida Division of Emergency Management said detainees refused orders to return to their bunks, advanced on staff and that chemical agents were released to restore safety to detainees and guards.

Appeals court rules illegal Trump plan to end TPS for Venezuelans

2026-01-30

A federal appeals court on Jan. 28 ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it ended Temporary Protected Status protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, according to a report published Thursday. The Ninth Circuit said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her authority when she terminated the TPS designation. The decision does not take immediate practical effect because, in October, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration’s action to remain in effect while the case proceeds.

Calls grow for Kristi Noem to step down or face impeachment after Minneapolis shootings

2026-01-29

A growing number of Democrats and Republicans are calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to step aside or face impeachment after the shooting deaths of two people in Minneapolis who protested deportation policy, according to a range of lawmakers and advocacy groups. President Donald Trump defended Noem, saying on Tuesday and later on Fox News that he has confidence in her and that she should not be replaced.

Partial shutdown seems increasingly likely as Democrats demand ICE changes

2026-01-29

Senate Democrats laid out demands Wednesday for the Department of Homeland Security, seeking changes to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conduct immigration arrests and an enforceable code of conduct. The demands set up a standoff over a set of Homeland Security and other funding bills that Republicans have said they do not want altered, with funding for the agencies at risk of expiring Saturday.

Democrats seek ICE reforms, raising odds of partial shutdown

2026-01-29

Senate Democrats on Wednesday laid out demands for the Department of Homeland Security, including tighter rules for immigration arrests and limits on how federal agents conduct operations, as funding for DHS and other agencies faces an expiring deadline Saturday. The demands come as Democrats pledged to block a spending bill unless the changes are met, setting up uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump and Republicans will negotiate.

Native Americans fear ICE and rush to prove their citizenship in IDs

2026-01-29

In Minneapolis, Native Americans say they are carrying tribal identification cards after fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The cards, which many nations are making easier and faster to obtain, are intended to help prove U.S. citizenship if federal agents stop or question them.

DOJ opens federal civil rights probe into death of Alex Pretti

2026-01-29

The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident who was killed Saturday by Border Patrol officers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday. The Department of Homeland Security said the FBI will lead the probe, shifting federal oversight from Homeland Security Investigations.

DHS uses facial recognition app and AI in Minnesota immigration sweeps

2026-01-29

Federal agents in Minnesota have used biometric tools during immigration encounters, according to an Associated Press investigation published Jan. 30. The report describes DHS increasing surveillance capabilities through facial recognition apps, license-plate readers, and databases, while civil liberties experts warn the approach could expand beyond targeting people the government says it is looking for.

Maine immigration surge ends as Sen. Collins confirms ICE stand-down

2026-01-29

Federal immigration officials have ceased “enhanced operations” in Maine, where hundreds of arrests followed a weekslong enforcement surge, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday after speaking with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Collins said there were “no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations” in the state, while adding that ICE and Border Patrol would continue “normal operations” ongoing for years. The announcement came amid political pressure on immigration enforcement tactics after a second deadly shooting in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents.

Mayors warn Trump’s immigration tactics could damage law-enforcement trust

2026-01-29

Mayors meeting in Washington warned that aggressive federal immigration enforcement could erode residents’ trust in law enforcement. Their remarks came as the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by two federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday renewed debate over the Trump administration’s tactics.

Protesters arrested after occupying Hilton lobby during immigration raid claims

2026-01-29

Protesters were arrested Tuesday after they occupied the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, demanding the hotel bar federal immigration agents, according to The Associated Press. The demonstration drew criticism amid an ongoing large-scale immigration operation carried out by President Donald Trump’s administration, the report said.

Trump signals easing immigration tensions, but enforcement continues in Minneapolis

2026-01-29

President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents, but federal enforcement operations and confrontations with activists continued Wednesday in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In a leadership shift tied to the crackdown, Trump sent his top border adviser to Minnesota and praised Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey after phone calls. Still, residents and court watchers described little day-to-day change, even as a federal judge warned ICE about violating court orders.

Alex Pretti’s family hires former Chauvin prosecutor lawyer

2026-01-29

The family of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis intensive care nurse who was shot while filming Border Patrol officers during an immigration enforcement operation, has retained a former federal prosecutor to represent them in the aftermath of his death, an attorney said Tuesday.

Democrats visit detained 5-year-old at Texas ICE facility

2026-01-29

Democratic U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited a detained 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father at a Texas federal detention center Wednesday, calling for their release amid heightened backlash against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The lawmakers met the boy and his father in a courtroom at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, near San Antonio, according to Castro.

Hawaii governor backs fast-tracked bills to protect immigrants

2026-01-29

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday he would welcome state legislation that fast-tracks protections for immigrants amid a national debate over federal immigration enforcement, including recent deadly incidents involving federal agents. Green made the remarks after speaking to several hundred protesters who rallied in the Capitol rotunda against federal immigration policy.

Montana town rallies for detained mechanic as federal case proceeds

2026-01-29

FROID, Mont. — Border Patrol arrested longtime Froid mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez on Sunday, the U.S. government charged him in federal court in Great Falls, and a judge set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 5. Residents and supporters from across the community packed Wednesday’s hearing, challenging the government’s characterization of him as dangerous.

Republicans fret immigration enforcement chaos could hurt midterms

2026-01-29

Republicans are increasingly concerned that immigration enforcement has become a political liability ahead of the midterm elections after federal agents killed two people during President Donald Trump’s Minneapolis crackdown, according to interviews and congressional comments. With a Jan. 31 deadline for passing government funding approaching, Democrats have said they will block Homeland Security funding unless significant changes are made, while Republicans weigh how directly to press the White House.

Nicaraguan man’s death at Texas ICE camp was reported as a suicide

2026-01-29

A Nicaraguan man who died at a Texas immigration detention camp was initially reported as a suicide days after he was detained by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, according to a 911 call and records released this week. The Associated Press reported that Victor Manuel Diaz was found on Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso after he had tried to die by suicide, and ICE later said his death was a “presumed suicide.”

California advances bills to confront federal immigration enforcement

2026-01-29

California Democratic senators advanced legislation Tuesday designed to make it easier for people to sue federal agents over civil rights violations, reflecting concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement practices. The measure, known as the 'No Kings Act,' came to a vote days after federal agents killed U.S. citizen and intensive-care nurse Alex Pretti during an enforcement action in Minnesota. The Senate passed the bill 30-10 along party lines and sent it to the Assembly.

Trump’s federal troop deployments to cities cost $496M, CBO says

2026-01-29

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Trump administration’s deployment of federal troops to six U.S. cities has cost taxpayers about $496 million through the end of December. The CBO said continued deployments could cost more than $1 billion for the rest of the year, depending on how long the deployments last.

Immigration crackdown slows U.S. population growth to 0.5 percent

2026-01-28

President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown contributed to a sharp drop in the U.S. population growth rate, with the nation reaching 342 million people and growing at just 0.5 percent in 2025, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Immigration increased by 1.3 million people in 2025, down from 2.8 million the year prior, marking a striking reversal from 2024's nearly 1 percent growth rate—the highest in two decades.

Appeals court rules Trump acted illegally ending protections for Venezuelans

2026-01-28

A federal appeals court ruled late Wednesday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it ended temporary legal protections that let hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans live and work in the United States. The 9th Circuit upheld a lower-court ruling saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her authority when she ended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans.

California Senate passes bill easing civil rights suits against ICE

2026-01-28

California's Democratic-controlled Senate advanced a civil rights measure Tuesday that would make it easier for people to sue federal agents over rights violations. The bill, called the "No Kings Act," passed 30 to 10 along party lines after more than 90 minutes of floor debate. The legislation was shaped by Democratic concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement escalation, underscored by the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, by federal agents in Minnesota last weekend.

Greg Bovino, architect of Trump’s immigration sweeps, leaves Minneapolis

2026-01-28

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has led large-scale immigration enforcement in multiple U.S. cities, is leaving Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot two people in less than three weeks, the Associated Press reported. The agency’s enforcement efforts in the city have drawn criticism from activists and residents and have become part of a broader Trump administration crackdown, the AP said.

Judge orders pause on removal of 5-year-old boy detained in Minnesota

2026-01-28

A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary order blocking the removal or transfer of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father, who were detained last week in Minnesota in a case that has inflamed U.S. immigration disputes. Judge Fred Biery ordered the pause while a court case proceeds, according to court records and reporting by The Associated Press.

Trump shifts Minnesota approach after federal shooting kills nurse

2026-01-27

President Donald Trump shifted toward a more conciliatory approach with Minnesota's Democratic leaders on Monday, a sudden reversal that followed a federal agent's fatal shooting of a nurse during immigration enforcement operations. The Saturday death of Alex Pretti, a nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, sparked outcry from across the political spectrum, including from some Republicans questioning the administration's aggressive tactics.

Two federal officers fire shots, killing Minneapolis nurse

2026-01-27

Two federal officers fired shots during an encounter with Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, over the weekend in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress this week. Pretti died in the encounter. The disclosure came amid scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where this is the second fatal shooting by immigration law enforcement this month. Separately, Ecuador filed a diplomatic protest after federal immigration agents attempted to enter the country's consulate in Minneapolis without authorization.

Trump replaces Minneapolis immigration commander following fatal shooting

2026-01-27

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter, following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse by federal immigration officers. The departure marks a significant shift in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has drawn legal challenges and intense criticism from local officials and civil rights advocates. President Trump said he was placing border czar Tom Homan in charge of the operation, with Homan reporting directly to the White House.

Florida “Alligator Alcatraz” detainees testify on barriers to attorneys

2026-01-27

Two former immigration detainees at a state-run detention center in Florida’s Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” testified that staff punished them for trying to seek legal help, including by cutting monitored calls when they discussed lawyers. The detainees spoke by video during a two-day hearing in federal court in Fort Myers, asking a judge to issue a temporary injunction to ensure access to attorneys that they say is comparable to federally run facilities.

France finance minister urges Capgemini to explain ICE contract

2026-01-27

France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, urged lawmakers late Tuesday to press French tech company Capgemini to be “fully transparent” about a contract it signed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract, awarded in December through Capgemini’s subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions, is drawing new scrutiny as calls grow to examine the agency’s role in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

No Kings protesters plan March 28 demos after Minneapolis deaths

2026-01-27

A third round of “No Kings” protests is planned for March 28, organizers said, as protests spread nationwide after deaths in Minneapolis involving federal agents. Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, said organizers expect the demonstrations to be their largest yet.

Protesters arrested after sit-in at Manhattan Hilton Garden Inn lobby

2026-01-27

Dozens of protesters were arrested Tuesday after they occupied the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, accusing the hotel of housing federal immigration officers, the Associated Press reported. Police ordered the crowd to leave before arresting those who remained, and a hotel press contact did not respond to requests for comment.

Chicago man faces deportation after acquittal in murder-for-hire case

2026-01-27

A Chicago carpenter acquitted of murder-for-hire charges against a Border Patrol commander has been taken into federal immigration custody and faces deportation, according to his attorneys. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was cleared of the charges late last week. Within 24 hours, federal immigration agents picked him up, defense attorneys Jonathan Bedi and Dena Singer confirmed Tuesday.

Credibility questioned for Trump administration after Pretti's death

2026-01-27

The Trump administration's account of Alex Jeffrey Pretti's death at the hands of a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis has been challenged by video evidence, raising questions about the credibility of federal immigration enforcement agencies. Videos showed Pretti being pushed by an officer before agents descended on him, contradicting claims by administration officials that he "approached" officers with a gun and acted violently.

Federal judge halts removal of detained 5-year-old and father

2026-01-27

A federal judge has issued a temporary order barring the removal of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father who were detained last week in Minnesota in an incident that has inflamed immigration policy debates under the Trump administration. U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled Monday that removal of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, is on hold while their court case proceeds. The two are detained at a family detention facility in Dilley, Texas, near San Antonio.

Bovino, architect of Trump's immigration sweeps, departs Minneapolis

2026-01-27

Gregory Bovino, the commander of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown operations nationwide, is leaving Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot two people in less than three weeks. Bovino had served as the chief architect and public face of the administration's city-by-city immigration sweeps since arriving in Minnesota in December for what the Department of Homeland Security called its largest-ever immigration enforcement operation. His departure comes amid mounting criticism over his use of aggressive, norm-breaking tactics.

Minneapolis shooting exposes fissure in Republican gun politics

2026-01-27

Federal officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, an armed Minneapolis man, on Saturday, and the White House initially characterized him as responsible for his own death because he lawfully carried a concealed weapon. Within days, prominent Republicans and gun rights advocates mounted swift criticism of those statements, and the administration retreated from its account, illustrating a deeper inconsistency in party positions on the Second Amendment.

Minneapolis shootings roil immigration fight, raise shutdown risk in Congress

2026-01-27

The shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens during deportation operations in Minneapolis have reshaped immigration politics in Congress and raised the risk of another government shutdown, according to Associated Press reporting. Democrats are seeking changes to Department of Homeland Security’s military-style immigration enforcement while Republicans signal they want hearings and an investigation related to the deaths. Congress is now wrestling with how to handle a six-bill funding package that is expected to cover more than 70% of federal operations.

Businesses caught between ICE raids and calls to oppose them

2026-01-27

After U.S. Border Patrol shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in late January, more than 60 Minnesota-based corporate executives—including the heads of Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—quickly signed an open letter calling for "an immediate deescalation of tensions." Yet the letter carefully avoided naming immigration enforcement directly or acknowledging the widely-circulated videos showing federal agents detaining two Target employees in the same state just days earlier. The tension reflected a broader dilemma: American businesses are increasingly both targeted by immigration enforcement operations and pressured publicly to take stronger stances against those same operations.

Six people killed during US immigration enforcement operations

2026-01-27

At least six people have died during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign, with videos contradicting federal accounts of at least two of the deaths. The most recent death was a 37-year-old Minneapolis nurse shot by a Border Patrol officer on Jan. 24. Videos showed his hands held only a phone when the officer opened fire.

Three federal investigations open into Minneapolis nurse killing by Border Patrol

2026-01-27

A Minneapolis nurse has been fatally shot by a Border Patrol officer in an incident that has prompted three federal investigations while raising questions about the independence and structure of the probes. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was killed over the weekend during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the city, marking the second death at the hands of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis since the Trump administration began large-scale operations there in late December. The Trump administration has characterized Pretti as an armed instigator, but videos from the scene and local officials contradict that account. The investigation's details, including the names of the officers involved and the specific evidence being examined, remain unclear even as tensions mount in the city over how the shooting will be investigated.

Minnesota’s misinformation site and evidence lawsuit deepen feud with feds

2026-01-26

Minnesota officials launched a state website aimed at countering what they called federal “misinformation” after immigration agents fatally shot two residents during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, according to officials and experts. The state also sued in federal court to preserve evidence collected by federal authorities after the Saturday killing of Alex Pretti, a federal judge granted a motion blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering that evidence.

Federal officer fatally shoots man during Minneapolis immigration operation

2026-01-26

Federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, triggering street protests and the activation of the Minnesota National Guard to help local police, the Associated Press reported. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said information about what led to the shooting was limited. The incident comes weeks after another fatal shooting in the city drew widespread demonstrations.

Protesters interrupted a worship service in St. Paul, charged under federal law

2026-01-26

Protesters interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in an anti-ICE demonstration that prosecutors said led to arrests on federal charges. The protesters were taken into custody Thursday, after one pastor at the Southern Baptist congregation works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Minneapolis nurse killed by Border Patrol as family disputes account

2026-01-26

Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers on Saturday in a confrontation the Trump administration characterized as a "domestic terrorist" attack. His family and colleagues disputed that account, describing the 37-year-old as a compassionate caregiver whose only documented offense was protesting the administration's immigration crackdown.

Border czar Homan to visit Minneapolis after nurse's death

2026-01-26

Border czar Tom Homan will visit Minneapolis this week following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse, as videos and eyewitness accounts challenge the Trump administration's account of the incident and calls mount for investigation into immigration enforcement tactics.

Minnesota GOP candidate drops out, citing Trump immigration 'disaster'

2026-01-26

A Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate dropped out of the 2026 race Monday, calling the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in his state an "unmitigated disaster." Chris Madel, a 59-year-old attorney and political newcomer, announced his decision in a video posted to X hours after a federal agent fatally shot Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti in an immigration sweep. Madel said the enforcement operation has driven U.S. citizens—particularly those of color—to carry papers to prove their citizenship, a practice he called fundamentally wrong.

Businesses face immigration enforcement pressure while becoming enforcement targets

2026-01-26

From family-run cafes to retail giants, U.S. businesses are increasingly caught between public pressure to respond to immigration enforcement and becoming the sites of federal arrests themselves. The pressure on businesses intensified on Sunday in Minneapolis after federal agents shot and killed a man; more than 60 Minnesota CEOs—including Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—signed a letter calling for de-escalation of tensions. The letter, however, stopped short of directly naming immigration enforcement or the arrests already occurring at businesses, according to the Associated Press.

Minneapolis shootings upend immigration politics in Congress

2026-01-26

Two deaths during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis have upended congressional politics around deportations, pushing lawmakers toward a government shutdown. Democrats are withholding funds for the Department of Homeland Security unless restrictions are placed on ICE operations, while some Republicans are signaling second thoughts about the administration's approach. The shift marks a reversal from just a year ago, when Congress easily passed legislation tightening immigration enforcement with bipartisan support.

Moderate Sen. Jacky Rosen calls for Noem impeachment amid Minneapolis fury

2026-01-26

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen has called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying he believes she attempted to “mislead the American public” about a fatal shooting of a 37-year-old protester in Minneapolis. The call comes as Democrats have escalated their criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and warned they would block Homeland Security funding unless Congress takes action.

First refugee to lead UN agency warns of 'very difficult moment'

2026-01-26

Barham Salih, the first refugee to lead the United Nations refugee agency, said Monday the world faces "a very difficult moment in history" as the U.S. cuts funding and tightens asylum restrictions. Speaking from Rome in an interview with the Associated Press, the former president of Iraq warned that repression of immigrants is growing while resources to protect them are plummeting.

Trump blames Democrats for chaos after fatal Minneapolis immigration shooting

2026-01-25

President Donald Trump blamed Democratic officials for "chaos" following the fatal shooting of a protester by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, according to posts on his Truth Social network and comments to The Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti marked the second killing by immigration officers in the city in recent weeks and prompted some Republicans to question the administration's enforcement approach even as Trump refused to back away from his immigration crackdown.

Federal and state officials clash over deadly Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Federal and state officials offered starkly different accounts Sunday of a shooting death the day before in Minneapolis, with the Trump administration and Minnesota's governor each claiming the moral authority to respond to the incident and its aftermath. Governor Tim Walz asked the public to choose a side: "Which side do you want to be on?" he said. "The side of an all-powerful federal government that could kill, injure, menace and kidnap its citizens off the streets, or on the side of a nurse at the VA hospital who died bearing witness to such government?" Federal Border Patrol official Greg Bovino offered a different characterization. "When someone makes the choice to come into an active law enforcement scene, interfere, obstruct, delay or assault law enforcement officer and — and they bring a weapon to do that. That is a choice that that individual made," he told reporters.

Court filings raise questions about ICE’s “worst of the worst” in Maine

2026-01-25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it detained some of the “worst of the worst” during a Maine enforcement operation this past week, but federal court records show a broader set of cases, the Associated Press reported. ICE said it detained more than 100 people statewide in what it called “Operation Catch of the Day.” Court filings reviewed by AP and comments from attorneys and local officials raised questions about how ICE described detainees and what happened after removal orders.

Rosen calls for Noem impeachment over fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-25

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying that Noem is attempting to mislead the public about a fatal shooting by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The call came as Democratic anger intensified over the incident and a second fatal shooting by immigration agents this month. Rosen said Noem's conduct was "deeply shameful" and she "must be impeached and removed from office immediately." The senator made the call in a statement after Noem swiftly defended the shooting without awaiting a full investigation.

Senate Democrats vow to oppose DHS funding after Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Senate Democrats vowed to oppose a Department of Homeland Security funding bill following a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, escalating the risk of a partial government shutdown by week's end. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed; federal officials defended the agent's actions as justified, while Democrats said video evidence contradicted that account and demanded policy changes to the agency.

Republicans press for investigation into fatal Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino sought testimony from immigration agencies, while Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska also pressed for more information. The calls for scrutiny suggest the Trump administration's accounting of the incident may face bipartisan review.

Videos contradict federal account of deadly Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Bystander videos of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on January 25 contradict the federal government's account of what occurred, according to use-of-force experts who reviewed the footage. The videos show Pretti holding a cellphone in his hands as an officer opened fire, experts said, challenging federal claims that Pretti approached officers with a firearm and posed an imminent threat.

Federal immigration officer shoots and kills man in Minneapolis

2026-01-25

A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man on Minneapolis's Eat Street early Saturday, marking the second such fatal federal shooting in the city in less than three weeks. The victim, identified as Alex Pretti, 37, was killed shortly before 9 a.m. during an immigration enforcement operation. The shooting sparked immediate large-scale protests and hours of street confrontations.

Minnesota CEOs urge de-escalation in federal enforcement crisis

2026-01-25

More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter posted Sunday on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website calling for state, local and federal cooperation in response to an immigration enforcement operation that has fractured state politics. Signatories included leaders from Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth, General Mills and 3M.

After accepting U.S. deportees, South Sudan sought sanctions relief, documents show

2026-01-25

South Sudan, after agreeing last year to accept deportees from the United States, sent Washington a list of requests that included U.S. support for prosecuting opposition leader Riek Machar and sanctions relief for former vice president Benjamin Bol Mel, U.S. diplomatic communications released by the State Department show. The requests, dated in May and marked confidential, also sought visa easing and other assistance. The U.S. said it “does not disclose the details of private discussions” when asked whether anything was promised in return.

Dueling accounts after ICE detains 5-year-old in Minnesota

2026-01-25

MINNEAPOLIS — A 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy detained by U.S. immigration officers in Minnesota has become a flashpoint, with school officials, neighbors and the boy’s family attorney disputing the federal account of how the child was handled. The Department of Homeland Security rejected claims that officers used the child as “bait,” and said the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in the family’s driveway.

Judge to consider asylum appeal for Guan Heng, held after rights videos

2026-01-25

Guan Heng, a Chinese asylum seeker who secretly filmed detention sites in Xinjiang, is in U.S. custody and is asking a judge to block his removal. A judge on Monday is set to consider his appeal to remain in the United States after he was swept up in an immigration enforcement operation in August.

Minneapolis volunteers shelter immigrant children separated from parents

2026-01-25

Minneapolis residents are sheltering immigrant children separated from their parents as federal immigration agents escalate enforcement operations across the Twin Cities. More than 2,000 federal agents have been deployed in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported more than 3,000 arrests since early December. The volunteers providing shelter also arrange rent payments for families afraid to work, deliver meals, and establish emergency custody arrangements.

South Sudan sought sanctions relief after accepting US deportees, documents show

2026-01-25

South Sudan sought sanctions relief for a senior official and U.S. support for prosecuting an opposition leader after agreeing to accept American deportees, according to diplomatic communications released by the State Department in January. The eight deportees arrived in Juba, South Sudan's capital, in July after spending weeks at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, where a court temporarily blocked their deportation.

Court records challenge ICE's characterization of Maine detainees

2026-01-24

Immigration and Customs Enforcement claimed last week that its enforcement surge in Maine targeted some of the state's most dangerous criminals, including "child abusers and hostage takers." But court records paint a more complicated picture of the more than 100 people detained statewide in what ICE called "Operation Catch of the Day." While some detainees had serious felony convictions, others faced far less serious charges — including a learner's permit violation that was dismissed. Many had no criminal convictions at all, according to court records and immigration attorneys.

Minneapolis volunteers shelter immigrant children as ICE sweeps intensify

2026-01-24

Minneapolis residents are sheltering immigrant children separated from parents and sought by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration's enforcement surge in the Twin Cities. A 41-year-old Indigenous Ecuadorian office cleaner was detained in early January after entering the country illegally, prompting her oldest children to move their seven younger siblings to a safe house in south Minneapolis with help from church volunteers including Feliza Martinez. "The immigration agents were knocking on our door very late at night, and that's when I became afraid," said the family's 20-year-old son, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I'm afraid that I'll be taken and my brothers and sisters will be in the hands of the government."

Border Patrol kills Minneapolis ICU nurse amid immigration crackdown

2026-01-24

A U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis on Saturday during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement crackdown. Pretti was an intensive-care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital and a U.S. citizen born in Illinois. He had participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the same city.

Government and school offer conflicting accounts in 5-year-old's ICE detention

2026-01-24

The detention of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy by federal immigration agents outside his Minnesota home has produced sharply conflicting accounts. School officials say ICE officers used the child as "bait," instructing him to knock on the door while his mother was inside and his father was present. The Department of Homeland Security denies this, saying the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in their driveway. The boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, are now detained together at a family facility in Dilley, Texas.

Collins and Mills offer diverging takes on ICE arrests in Maine

2026-01-24

Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and Republican Sen. Susan Collins offered sharply different reactions on Friday to a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the state. Mills challenged ICE to provide judicial warrants, real-time arrest numbers and basic information about who is being detained, while Collins said people in the country legally should not be targeted and urged protesters to avoid interfering with arrests.

ICE memo would allow home entries without judge’s warrant, advocates say

2026-01-24

The Associated Press reported that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo directs officers to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, raising concerns about the Fourth Amendment and about risks to residents. The story was published Jan. 23, 2026, and includes accounts of ICE tactics in multiple states.

Private guard called 911 for help in ICE detainee homicide in El Paso

2026-01-24

A private security guard called 911 to report an emergency involving an ICE detainee at a Texas detention facility, and a county medical examiner later ruled the man’s death a homicide, according to a recording of the call obtained by The Associated Press. The detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, stopped breathing during a struggle after staff restrained him in handcuffs following a reported suicide attempt at Camp East Montana in El Paso on Jan. 3.

White House shares altered image of attorney arrest in Minnesota, AP finds

2026-01-24

The White House shared an altered image showing civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing to cry while being arrested in Minnesota, according to an Associated Press fact check. The original photo posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on X showed Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression. AP reported that the White House later shared a manipulated version of the image.

Maine governor and senator clash over ICE enforcement surge

2026-01-23

Maine's Democratic governor and Republican senator offered divergent responses Friday to an immigration sweep that has detained dozens of people across the state this week. Gov. Janet Mills demanded that federal immigration officials provide judicial warrants and real-time arrest data, while Sen. Susan Collins said the protests being organized should avoid interfering with law enforcement operations. The divergence reflects the high-stakes nature of the race between them — Mills is challenging Collins' Senate seat — as well as fundamental disagreement over how immigration enforcement should operate. Mills, termed out as governor, must first win a Democratic primary against oyster farmer Graham Platner, whose campaign is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Petro, Trump to meet Feb. 3 after months of tensions

2026-01-23

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday he was optimistic about a White House meeting with President Trump scheduled for Feb. 3, marking a significant diplomatic shift after months of hostility. The optimism comes after the United States revoked Petro's visa and imposed sanctions on him and his family in September over what he characterized as unproven drug-trafficking allegations.

Judge shields pro-Palestinian academics from immigration retaliation

2026-01-23

A federal judge in Boston ruled Thursday that academics targeted for deportation over their pro-Palestinian activism can seek legal protection if the Trump administration retaliates against them for participating in a lawsuit challenging the government's enforcement policy. U.S. District Judge William Young, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, said noncitizen members of two academic associations can challenge any changes to their immigration status made in reprisal for their free-speech activities.

Medical examiner rules Texas ICE detainee death a homicide

2026-01-23

A county medical examiner ruled the death of a Cuban immigrant in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody a homicide on Jan. 22, after the man attempted suicide and was restrained by guards at a detention center in El Paso, Texas. Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana, a detention facility built on an Army base to house thousands of immigrants. The examiner determined he died from asphyxia caused by compression to his neck and torso. The homicide ruling came after a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press revealed that a private security contractor at the facility called for emergency help during the struggle. A witness who observed the incident described at least five guards holding Campos down, with one applying pressure around his neck until he lost consciousness.

ICE memo authorizes forced entry to homes without judicial warrants

2026-01-23

An internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by the Associated Press authorizes immigration officers to forcibly enter people's homes using administrative warrants, marking a shift from decades of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The memo, disclosed as immigration arrests soar under President Trump's mass deportation campaign, permits officers to enter private homes without warrants signed by judges — a practice long prohibited by constitutional law.

Thousands protest immigration enforcement; 100 clergy arrested in Minnesota

2026-01-23

About 100 clergy members were arrested Friday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and thousands of people gathered in downtown Minneapolis despite temperatures of minus 9 degrees Fahrenheit to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations. The clergy were arrested after exceeding the reach of their permit and disrupting airline operations, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The demonstrations drew labor unions, progressive organizations, and faith leaders calling for an end to what the Department of Homeland Security described as its "largest-ever immigration enforcement operation."

Woman shot by Border Patrol agent in Oregon pleads guilty to illegal entry

2026-01-23

A woman wounded in a shooting by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to illegally entering the United States and was sentenced to one year of probation. Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras appeared by video from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Autopsy rules immigrant's death in ICE custody a homicide

2026-01-22

An autopsy has ruled the January 3 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos a homicide, according to the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office. The 55-year-old Cuban immigrant, held in solitary confinement at Camp East Montana near El Paso, died from asphyxia caused by neck and torso compression during an altercation with guards. A witness told The Associated Press that Lunas Campos was handcuffed as at least five guards held him down, with one guard applying pressure around his neck until he lost consciousness. The medical examiner's report documented abrasions on his chest and knees, hemorrhages on his neck, and petechial hemorrhages in his eyelids — tiny blood spots consistent with asphyxia from pressure on the body.

Civil rights attorney arrested in Minnesota church ICE protest

2026-01-22

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and at least two other people were arrested Thursday in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, according to Trump administration officials. The arrests came as a federal magistrate judge rejected charges against journalist Don Lemon related to the same event. Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Minneapolis, urged state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration officials.

House passes $1.2T spending bills as Democrats oppose ICE funding

2026-01-22

The House passed approximately $1.2 trillion in spending bills in January 2026, narrowly approving Homeland Security funding on a 220-207 vote as Democratic leaders objected to provisions that would fund President Trump's mass deportation efforts. The broader spending package passed 341-88, funding a 3.8% military pay raise while keeping non-defense spending at current levels.

Vance blames local officials for Minneapolis immigration unrest

2026-01-22

Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis on Thursday to address mounting tensions over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign, blaming "far-left people" and state and local officials for the chaos that has unfolded. Vance said Minnesota leaders should "meet us halfway" and insisted he was working to lower tensions, even as his visit coincided with a planned day of statewide protests by faith leaders, labor unions, and hundreds of businesses. The visit came weeks into an aggressive federal immigration enforcement operation that has drawn sharp rebukes from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz, who have accused federal agents of racial profiling and terrorizing immigrant communities.

White House shares altered image of attorney arrest

2026-01-22

The White House shared a manipulated photograph of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong during her arrest at a Minnesota church, according to an Associated Press fact-check. The altered image showed her in tears; the original photograph, posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, showed her with a neutral expression. Levy Armstrong was arrested for her role in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at the church.

Maine governor demands warrants as ICE immigration sweeps spread fear

2026-01-22

Maine's Democratic governor challenged federal immigration officials Thursday to provide warrants and arrest information from a sweeping enforcement operation in her state, saying residents have been left largely in the dark as fear spreads through immigrant communities. Gov. Janet Mills said President Donald Trump's office has not returned her calls regarding the operation.

Brazilians react to US suspension of immigrant visa processing

2026-01-22

Brazilians who had been trying to move to the United States said they were frustrated after the U.S. suspended processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil. The suspension took effect on Wednesday, according to the U.S. State Department, leaving would-be applicants waiting while the government reviews entry standards.

Minneapolis businesses face disruptions amid federal immigration enforcement

2026-01-22

Minneapolis businesses say a surge in federal immigration enforcement has disrupted staffing, consumer traffic and hotel reservations, as protests roil parts of the Twin Cities. The effects are showing up amid plans for a general strike Friday to demand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, according to organizers. The economic fallout comes as Minnesota and the Twin Cities seek court relief to halt the operations.

Democrats scramble on immigration after Minnesota ICE confrontation turns deadly

2026-01-22

A federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, 37, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota earlier this month, forcing Democrats into an immediate political crisis as the party scrambles to devise a unified response to the Trump administration's aggressive crackdown on immigration. The killing has upended Democratic midterm strategy. The party had planned to campaign on affordability and health care—two issues where President Trump faces voter dissatisfaction—but the violent scenes from Minnesota have intensified pressure on Democrats to take immediate action on immigration enforcement practices.

Appeals court suspends tear gas ban in Minnesota immigration enforcement

2026-01-22

A federal appeals court suspended a ruling that prohibited federal officers from using tear gas and pepper spray against protesters in Minnesota on Wednesday, clearing the way for more aggressive enforcement tactics. The decision came as immigration agents expanded operations to Maine and served state and local officials with subpoenas seeking records about their opposition to the enforcement campaign. Immigration enforcement officers said they have arrested more than 10,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota over the past year.

Minneapolis businesses suffer during immigration enforcement surge

2026-01-22

Minneapolis businesses are reporting severe economic damage from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. Some companies have seen sales drop 80%, and customers and employees are avoiding the area out of fear, according to a lawsuit filed this month by Minnesota and the city. Hotels have stopped accepting reservations, while restaurants and stores have temporarily closed or cut hours.

More troops ordered to be ready for possible Minneapolis deployment

2026-01-21

The U.S. Army has ordered several dozen additional active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minneapolis if needed, a defense official said Wednesday. The preparation orders involve an Army military police brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and a separate group of soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska amid protests tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown.

Maine immigrant communities brace as ICE enforcement surge begins

2026-01-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents launched an enforcement operation in Maine on Tuesday called Operation "Catch of the Day," an apparent reference to the state's seafood industry. The agency had identified approximately 1,400 targets in Maine and made 50 arrests on the first day, according to Patricia Hyde, the ICE deputy assistant director. The operation marked the Trump administration's expansion of mass deportation efforts to Maine, a state with a relatively small undocumented population but significant communities of African refugees. Portland and Lewiston are home to thousands of residents of African descent, with Maine having one of the nation's highest Somali populations following accelerated immigration in the early 2000s.

Pam Bondi says Nekima Levy Armstrong was arrested after church protest

2026-01-21

Federal officials said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney, was arrested after a disruption by anti-immigration enforcement protesters at a Minnesota church where an ICE official serves as a pastor, even as a judge rejected related charges against journalist Don Lemon. Vice President JD Vance urged state and local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officers and said protesters must stop getting in their way.

Former Iowa superintendent pleads guilty after ICE arrest

2026-01-21

Former Iowa superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty Thursday to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on a federal employment form and to illegally possessing firearms, according to court proceedings in Des Moines. The plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams, could affect his immigration case and he acknowledged he could face deportation after serving a sentence.

Immigration crackdown reshapes Democratic midterm strategy

2026-01-21

Democrats are grappling with a political challenge that threatens to reshape their midterm strategy: how to respond aggressively to immigration enforcement operations they find alarming without appearing soft on immigration to voters who have historically trusted Republicans more on the issue. The challenge emerged sharply after an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that included the fatal shooting of Renee Good during a confrontation with federal agents.

Brazilians frustrated by US visa suspension but try to remain hopeful

2026-01-21

The Trump administration on Wednesday suspended immigrant visa processing for Brazil and 74 other countries, citing concerns that nationals from these nations would likely require government assistance while in the United States. The suspension immediately halted processing of thousands of Brazilian applications for permanent residency, sparking frustration among applicants who said they remained hopeful the measure would prove temporary. The suspension builds on earlier Trump administration immigration restrictions affecting citizens across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

ICE memo permits forced home entries using administrative warrants

2026-01-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has authorized officers to forcibly enter people's homes based solely on administrative warrants, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. The directive, issued in May 2025, marks a sharp reversal of longstanding guidance meant to respect Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The move comes as the Trump administration dramatically expands immigration enforcement nationwide, with thousands of officers deployed in cities including Minneapolis, where recent arrests have raised questions about agency tactics.

Former Iowa superintendent to plead guilty to false citizenship claim

2026-01-21

Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, is expected to plead guilty in federal court to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms, according to a plea agreement filed Wednesday. Roberts, a native of Guyana, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and potential deportation after serving his sentence.

Doctors warn Trump immigration crackdown is disrupting health care in Minnesota

2026-01-21

Doctors in Minnesota said the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement has driven patients to miss prenatal and other medical care and has heightened fear among hospital staff, prompting some facilities to shift communications to encrypted channels. The doctors spoke Tuesday at a news conference in St. Paul, according to the Associated Press. The article described individual cases including a pregnant woman who missed a checkup and later went into labor before she could be treated, and detained patients who lacked access to needed medications.

Federal agents detain Minnesota 5-year-old and his father in raids

2026-01-21

Federal agents detained a 5-year-old boy as he returned home from preschool in Minnesota and took his father to a detention facility in Texas, school officials and the family’s lawyer said. The boy’s father had an active asylum case and had not been ordered removed, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said.

ICE memo says officers may enter homes using administrative warrants

2026-01-21

Federal immigration officers are asserting authority to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press on Jan. 21, 2026. The memo, signed in May 2025 by acting ICE director Todd Lyons, would allow entry based on an administrative warrant to arrest a person with a final order of removal.

Judge declines to block DHS policy limiting lawmakers’ ICE facility visits

2026-01-21

A federal judge in Washington on Monday refused to temporarily block a Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give a week’s notice before visiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The judge said Democratic members’ attorneys challenged the change using the wrong procedural path, and that the Jan. 8 policy is a new agency action not covered by an earlier order.

Maine Gov. Mills demands warrants and arrest data amid ICE operation

2026-01-21

Maine Gov. Janet Mills demanded federal immigration officials provide warrants, real-time arrest figures and information about who is detained as an enforcement operation in the state has spread fear through immigrant communities. Mills said Thursday that her office has not received responses from President Donald Trump’s administration and criticized what she called “secret arrests.”

New Virginia AG Jones seeks to withdraw from DOJ deal over in-state tuition

2026-01-21

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones filed to withdraw from a U.S. Department of Justice agreement tied to litigation over in-state tuition for some immigrant students, days after taking office. Jones’s motion asks a federal court to undo a prior effort to invalidate Virginia’s 2020 “Dream Act” that allows eligible undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. The U.S. Justice Department, which brought the challenge, declined comment because the case is pending.

US citizen says ICE detained him at gunpoint in underwear in Minnesota

2026-01-21

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A U.S. citizen says federal immigration agents detained him at gunpoint in his Minnesota home without a warrant and led him outside in only underwear in subfreezing weather, according to his family and videos reviewed by The Associated Press. The man, ChongLy “Scott” Thao, said agents broke down a door and later returned him to his house after determining he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

Vance in Minneapolis blames “far-left” and local officials for ICE unrest

2026-01-21

Vice President JD Vance told supporters in Minneapolis on Thursday that he had come to “lower the temperature” amid unrest tied to the White House’s aggressive deportation campaign, blaming “far-left people” and state and local law enforcement for chaos. He urged Minnesota leaders to “meet us halfway” and said the Justice Department is investigating top Democrats in the state, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over whether they obstruct immigration enforcement.

Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill pays for ICE expansion

2026-01-20

President Donald Trump’s rapidly expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement force is being bankrolled by billions from a Republican tax and spending package, according to an Associated Press analysis. The money is tied to hiring bonuses of $50,000, growth plans that would lift ICE to about 22,000 officers, and new spending for operations and detention facilities.

Minnesota doctors describe healthcare chaos in Trump crackdown

2026-01-20

In January, doctors and nurses in Minnesota began documenting unprecedented fear and disruption in healthcare delivery following the Trump administration's extension of immigration enforcement into hospitals. The shift ended a 14-year sanctuary policy that had protected hospitals from immigration raids since 2011, allowing federal agents to conduct enforcement operations in facilities previously off-limits to immigration authorities. 'I have been a practicing physician for more than 19 years here in Minnesota, and I have never seen this level of chaos and fear,' said Dr. Roli Dwivedi, past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, speaking Tuesday at a St. Paul news conference.

Federal prosecutors subpoena Minnesota officials in immigration enforcement probe

2026-01-20

Federal prosecutors served grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota's governor, attorney general, and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed federal immigration enforcement during a sweeping crackdown in the Twin Cities area. The subpoenas, which seek records, were directed to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investigation is examining whether Minnesota officials' public statements constituted a conspiracy to impede law enforcement, according to two people familiar with the probe.

ICE detains U.S. citizen in underwear without warrant, suit planned

2026-01-20

Federal immigration agents detained a U.S. citizen at his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant and led him outside in freezing weather wearing only underwear, according to his account, family members and videos reviewed by The Associated Press. ChongLy "Scott" Thao said agents bashed open his St. Paul home on Sunday and immediately pointed guns at his family. When he was later detained, agents prevented him from retrieving his identification documents and led him outside in subfreezing conditions wearing only underwear, sandals and a blanket. The detention occurred as federal immigration agents conduct a massive operation in the Twin Cities, which has drawn backlash from residents and local leaders over warrantless arrests, aggressive clashes with protesters, and a fatal shooting.

Man on trial for offering $10K bounty on Border Patrol commander

2026-01-20

A jury was selected Tuesday in Chicago in the trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a 37-year-old accused of offering a $10,000 bounty for the killing of a Border Patrol commander who led an immigration crackdown in the city. Prosecutors allege Martinez sent a message offering the reward to eliminate Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, California, North Carolina and Minnesota. Martinez has pleaded not guilty.

Immigrant dies at El Paso tent complex; prior detainee death ruled likely homicide

2026-01-19

Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, a Nicaraguan immigrant detained during a Jan. 6 federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, was found dead Jan. 14 at a tent detention facility on the grounds of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. ICE said Diaz appeared to have killed himself. His death came at the same facility where a fellow detainee died earlier this month in circumstances the El Paso County Medical Examiner has since classified as a likely homicide.

DOJ investigates protesters who disrupted St. Paul church where ICE field director pastors

2026-01-19

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sunday it is investigating a group of protesters who disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a man identified in court filings as the acting director of the local ICE field office also serves as a pastor. A livestreamed video posted on the Black Lives Matter Minnesota Facebook page shows protesters interrupting the service by chanting 'ICE out' and 'Justice for Renee Good' — a 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month amid a surge in federal immigration enforcement.

Protesters disrupt St. Paul church service; DOJ opens FACE Act investigation

2026-01-19

About three dozen anti-immigration-enforcement protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during Sunday services on Jan. 18, with some walking toward the pulpit and others chanting "ICE out" and "Renee Good" — the name of a woman an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. The service was forced to end prematurely, according to the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. The U.S. Department of Justice said it has opened a civil rights investigation into potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Babson student describes life upended after mistaken deportation

2026-01-19

Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza told The Associated Press she was mistakenly deported to Honduras even after a Massachusetts judge ordered her not to leave the United States. Lopez Belloza said she was detained at Boston’s airport on Nov. 20 while preparing to fly to Texas for Thanksgiving and was deported two days later.

Bernice King calls MLK Day a 'saving grace' amid political turbulence

2026-01-18

The Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta and daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said the federal holiday honoring her father arrives this year as "somewhat of a saving grace" — a moral counterweight, she said, to rollbacks of diversity programs, changes to government historical content, and immigration enforcement she described as turning violent.

Minneapolis mayor calls military deployment for immigration crackdown unconstitutional

2026-01-18

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday called a potential military deployment to enforce immigration law in the city "ridiculous and unconstitutional," urging protesters to remain peaceful as the Pentagon placed about 1,500 active-duty soldiers based in Alaska on standby for a possible deployment. President Donald Trump has since stepped back from the threat, at least for now, according to defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. The standby order covers two infantry battalions of the Army's 11th Airborne Division, soldiers who specialize in arctic operations, the officials said. The troops would deploy only if Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a rarely used 19th-century law that would authorize sending federal military forces into Minnesota over the objections of its governor.

Judge blocks federal officers in Minneapolis immigration operation from detaining

2026-01-18

A Minnesota judge ruled Friday that federal officers participating in an immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed in December by six Minnesota activists, according to court documents described by the Associated Press.

Minneapolis mayor calls idea of sending soldiers in ICE crackdown unconstitutional

2026-01-18

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Sunday that sending active-duty soldiers to help with an immigration crackdown in Minnesota would be unconstitutional, calling the idea “ridiculous.” He urged protesters to stay peaceful as protests continued after the Department of Homeland Security increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers.

Nicaraguan immigrant Victor Diaz found dead at Texas ICE detention

2026-01-18

A Nicaraguan immigrant was found dead at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas last week, federal officials said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Victor Manuel Diaz appeared to have killed himself on Wednesday at the tent complex at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss base in El Paso.

Tension and chaos take hold during Trump’s Minneapolis-area immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs have seen intensified clashes and disruptions amid a Trump administration immigration crackdown, known as Operation Metro Surge, with federal convoys moving through the area as protesters gather and tensions spike at night. The surge, which AP described as involving more than 2,000 officers, has put city and state officials and activists in direct conflict with federal enforcement teams. In one recent case tied to the crackdown, a mother of three, Renee Good, was killed in a Jan. 7 confrontation, according to federal officials and city and state officials.

ICE enforcement empties Minneapolis Somali businesses as fear spreads

2026-01-18

Three weeks after the Trump administration launched "Operation Metro Surge," vendors at Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis sat alone in empty storefronts on a recent afternoon, waiting for customers who were not coming. Businesses at the sprawling complex of more than 100 shops — a commercial and community anchor for the city's Somali community — have lost foot traffic sharply since federal immigration enforcement intensified across the region, owners and workers said.

Pentagon puts 1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

2026-01-18

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be ready for possible deployment to Minnesota, where federal authorities have been conducting a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, two defense officials said Sunday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. They said the Army's 11th Airborne Division — an Alaska-based unit that specializes in arctic conditions — has received prepare-to-deploy orders for two infantry battalions.

New Hampshire Episcopal bishop warns clergy to prepare for 'new era of martyrdom'

2026-01-18

A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop drew national attention this month after warning his clergy to finalize their wills and prepare for a "new era of martyrdom," following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire delivered the remarks at a vigil honoring Renee Good, who was shot and killed Jan. 7 behind the wheel of her vehicle by an ICE officer. The Trump administration has defended the officer's actions, saying he fired in self-defense while standing in front of Good's vehicle as it began to move forward; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have disputed that account based on videos of the confrontation.

'60 Minutes' airs CECOT deportation story that CBS editor had pulled in December

2026-01-18

CBS News' "60 Minutes" on Sunday aired correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's report on U.S. deportees held in El Salvador's CECOT prison — a story that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss had pulled from the Dec. 21 episode, setting off an internal dispute that Alfonsi described to colleagues as "not an editorial decision" but "a political one." Weiss, who founded the Free Press website and had no previous television news experience before her appointment to the top CBS News editorial role, had argued the story did not sufficiently reflect the administration's viewpoint and did not advance reporting that other news organizations had already published, according to the Associated Press.

Army orders 1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

2026-01-18

The Pentagon ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be ready in case the U.S. sends them to Minnesota amid a federal immigration enforcement operation, two defense officials said Sunday. The soldiers would be deployed if President Donald Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a rarely used 19th-century law that can authorize active-duty troops for law enforcement, the officials said. In an emailed statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the military is prepared to carry out orders from the commander in chief if called upon.

DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt St. Paul church

2026-01-18

The U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church in St. Paul where a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official reportedly serves as a pastor. DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the conduct interfered with worship and could violate federal criminal and civil laws.

ICE crackdown puts Somali businesses in Minneapolis on edge, owners say

2026-01-18

The ICE crackdown in Minneapolis has left Somali business owners and some of their customers afraid to enter shops or travel, according to interviews included in an Associated Press report published Jan. 18, 2026. Owners at Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis described shuttered storefronts, fewer customers, and mounting financial pressure as enforcement activity in the city expanded.

Minneapolis family says tear gas flooded SUV during immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

A Minneapolis couple says an immigration officer rolled a tear gas canister under their SUV, flooding the vehicle with toxic fumes after the family became caught between protesters and federal officers during an immigration operation this week. The Jackson family said the incident left both parents and several of their six children, including an infant, needing hospital treatment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said officers were responding to crowds of “rioters and agitators” and did not target the family or “their innocent children.”

New Hampshire bishop warns clergy to prepare for “new era of martyrdom”

2026-01-18

A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop said clergy should get their “affairs in order” in a warning that Christians may be entering a “new era of martyrdom.” Bishop Rob Hirschfeld made the comments at a vigil for Renee Good, who was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

Protesters for and against Minneapolis immigration crackdown face off

2026-01-18

Hundreds of counterprotesters confronted a small rally in support of the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown in Minneapolis on Saturday, as Minnesota’s governor’s office announced the National Guard was mobilized and ready to assist. The confrontation followed days of protests in the Twin Cities over a Department of Homeland Security operation that brought more than 2,000 federal officers to Minneapolis and St. Paul.

White House social posts scrutinized amid Minneapolis immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

The Trump administration’s posts tied to its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis have drawn criticism, with critics saying some of the messaging borrows imagery and phrases popular with far-right and white supremacist groups. An Associated Press review of posts from the Department of Homeland Security and other administration entities found references that users on social media compared to Nazi slogans and far-right memes.

'60 Minutes' airs report on Trump deportations pulled in December

2026-01-18

“60 Minutes” aired a report Sunday about Trump administration deportations that the show had abruptly pulled from its lineup a month earlier, CBS News said. The segment focused on migrants sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, with correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reporting that attempts to secure on-camera interviews with Trump administration officials were rebuffed. The dispute over the story’s handling had become public after an earlier version of the segment appeared online.

Federal judge bars agents from detaining, tear-gassing peaceful protesters in Minneapolis

2026-01-17

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday that immigration officers conducting enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area may not detain or use tear gas against peaceful observers who are not obstructing their activities. U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued the ruling in a case filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. The ruling came as federal agents and demonstrators have repeatedly clashed since the Trump administration launched what officials have described as its largest recent immigration enforcement operation in the area.

Federal immigration surge brings daily clashes, community disruption to Twin Cities

2026-01-17

MINNEAPOLIS — More than 2,000 federal officers are carrying out Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's largest immigration enforcement action yet, in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, producing daily confrontations between agents and protesters that have become routine since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen and mother of three, on Jan. 7. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, said his city — with roughly 600 police officers — has been overwhelmed by the federal deployment. "We don't use the word 'invasion' lightly," Frey told reporters. "What we are seeing is thousands — plural, thousands — of federal agents coming into our city." The surge has shuttered businesses in immigrant neighborhoods, kept children home from school, and produced nightly scenes of tear gas and flash grenades as federal officers disperse crowds gathered outside a compound near Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport that houses an immigration court and government offices.

Counterprotesters rout pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis; National Guard stages nearby

2026-01-17

Hundreds of counterprotesters in Minneapolis drove off a small pro-ICE rally on Saturday organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang, who had announced on social media plans to burn a Quran on City Hall steps, according to the Associated Press. Lang appeared to have sustained bruises and scrapes to his head as he left the scene; it was not clear whether he carried out his stated plan.

Tear gas floods Minneapolis family's SUV; infant and two children hospitalized

2026-01-17

A Minneapolis couple says a federal officer rolled a tear gas canister under their family's SUV on Wednesday as they tried to leave a confrontation between protesters and immigration enforcement officers in north Minneapolis, flooding the vehicle with fumes that sent a 6-month-old infant and two other children to the hospital. The family said they were not demonstrating against the federal operation — they had been driving home from a basketball game when they were caught between the two sides.

Trump administration posts draw scrutiny for far-right imagery amid immigration sweep

2026-01-17

The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, and the White House posted social media content in January that drew criticism for borrowing phrases, images, and music tied to far-right and white nationalist movements, as the Trump administration intensified its immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The administration said the posts were misread; critics and researchers said the references were deliberate.

California protester says he was blinded in one eye and life is changed

2026-01-17

A California protester says he was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a Jan. 9 demonstration outside a federal immigration building in Santa Ana. Kaden Rummler, 21, said he underwent six hours of surgery after the injury, which also left metal and a nickel-sized piece of plastic lodged in his skull.

DOJ investigates whether Walz and Frey impeded immigration enforcement

2026-01-17

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Jan. 16. The investigation is focused on potential violations of a conspiracy statute, the people said.

Court reverses decision that freed pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

2026-01-16

A federal appeals panel reversed a lower-court decision that had released former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil from an immigration jail, putting the Trump administration one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting him. The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that a New Jersey federal judge lacked jurisdiction to decide Khalil’s challenge at this time.

Immigration agents policing protests in Minneapolis spark safety and training concerns

2026-01-16

Federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis during recent protests have used what experts described as aggressive crowd-control tactics, raising concerns about officer training and public safety after the deadly Jan. 15 shooting of a woman in her car. Protesters and civil liberties advocates have sought court intervention to restrict how federal agents operate during demonstrations, including limiting chemical agents, pointing firearms at non-threatening people and interfering with lawful video recording.

Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act over Minneapolis immigration protests

2026-01-16

President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to quell protests in Minneapolis tied to federal immigration enforcement. The threat came a day after a man was shot and wounded by an immigration officer following an attack with a shovel and a broom handle, officials said.

Judge orders release of Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid

2026-01-16

A federal judge in Minnesota ordered the release of a Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis by heavily armed immigration agents who entered his home with a battering ram. The judge said the agents violated the man’s Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure.

Cuban immigrant dies in Texas ICE detention; medical examiner rules homicide

2026-01-16

Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant held at a federal immigration detention facility near El Paso, Texas, died January 3 following a confrontation with guards, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner's office told his family that a preliminary autopsy report classified his death as homicide by compression asphyxia of the chest and neck, according to a recording of the call reviewed by the Associated Press. The Department of Homeland Security offered a conflicting account, saying Thursday that Campos had violently resisted staff while simultaneously attempting to take his own life — an account the agency updated only after the AP sought comment.

Babson College freshman awaits return after mistaken ICE deportation to Honduras

2026-01-16

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman, was detained by federal immigration agents at Boston's Logan Airport on November 20 and deported to Honduras two days later, despite a Massachusetts court order that she must not leave the United States, she told the Associated Press on Friday. The U.S. government has apologized in court, acknowledging that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer mistakenly kept her name on a deportation flight list. Her attorney filed a motion Friday asking a federal judge to set a two-week deadline for the Trump administration to arrange her return.

Trump's threatened Insurrection Act use in Minneapolis would be unprecedented, experts say

2026-01-16

President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal military forces to Minnesota, seeking to suppress protests in Minneapolis that arose after federal immigration agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen, Renee Good. Constitutional and military law experts said the move would be an abuse of the 19th-century statute unlike any in American history.

DOJ investigates Walz and Frey over statements on Minnesota immigration enforcement

2026-01-16

The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements they made, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the pending probe. The investigation focuses on a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute, the people said. Neither official's office said it had received formal notice of the probe.

Medical examiner finds Texas ICE detainee's death a homicide; witness describes chokehold

2026-01-16

A Cuban immigrant died Jan. 3 at a Texas immigration detention facility on a U.S. Army base, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office has told his family that a preliminary autopsy classified his death as a homicide resulting from asphyxia from chest and neck compression, according to a recording of that call reviewed by the Associated Press. The federal government provided a differing account, saying Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, had been attempting suicide and that staff tried to save him. A fellow detainee who said he witnessed the incident through his cell window told the AP that Lunas Campos was already handcuffed when at least five guards pinned him to the floor and at least one placed an arm around his neck. "The last thing he said was that he couldn't breathe," said Santos Jesús Flores, 47, of El Salvador, speaking in Spanish by telephone from the facility.

Disabled U.S. citizen dragged from car by ICE agents in Minneapolis, hospitalized

2026-01-16

A U.S. citizen said she was dragged from her car by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Thursday while traveling to a medical appointment, then detained at a facility where she was denied medical care before losing consciousness in her cell. Aliya Rahman, who said she is disabled, released a statement after video of her removal — which appears to show agents smashing her passenger window, cutting her seatbelt, and carrying her to an ICE vehicle — drew millions of views on social media. The Department of Homeland Security disputed her account, calling her an agitator who had ignored commands to move her vehicle away from the scene.

Two Orange County protesters blinded at immigration rally, federal force disputed

2026-01-16

Two men say federal agents blinded them in one eye with crowd-control projectiles during a Jan. 9 demonstration outside a federal immigration building in Orange County, California. The Department of Homeland Security has not answered questions about what type of weapon was used, while a DHS spokesperson called one of the men's injury claims "absurd."

231 Venezuelan migrants arrive in Caracas on first US deportation flight since December

2026-01-16

CARACAS, Venezuela — An Eastern Airlines charter carrying 231 Venezuelan migrants deported from the U.S. city of Phoenix landed at an airport outside the capital on Friday, resuming direct deportation flights after a roughly five-week suspension, Venezuelan officials said. The arrival marked the first direct U.S.-to-Venezuela deportation transfer since Dec. 10, according to Venezuelan officials, who said Washington unilaterally halted the flights in mid-December.

Social media falsely identifies pardoned Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio as ICE officer

2026-01-16

Social media posts have falsely identified Enrique Tarrio, the pardoned former leader of the Proud Boys, as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer — a claim denied by both the agency and Tarrio himself, according to the Associated Press. The false claim circulated widely on multiple platforms this week as protests continued in Minneapolis over the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer.

AP-NORC poll finds most Republicans back Trump on immigration, but doubt costs

2026-01-16

Nearly a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, an AP-NORC survey finds most Republicans approve of his job performance overall, with large support for his approach to immigration and border security. But the poll finds a significant gap between Republicans’ expectations for economic improvements and their assessment of what has happened so far, especially on costs of living and job creation.

Fact check: Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is not an ICE officer

2026-01-16

Claims spreading online amid protests in Minneapolis after Renee Good was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer have falsely said Enrique Tarrio is now an ICE officer. An ICE and Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Tarrio is not employed by ICE, and Tarrio also denied the claim in posts on X.

Forense dice que inmigrante cubano murió por asfixia en custodia en Texas

2026-01-16

Un inmigrante cubano murió este mes en un centro de detención de migrantes en Texas durante un altercado con guardias, y el médico forense local indicó que su fallecimiento probablemente se clasificará como homicidio, según una grabación revisada por The Associated Press. El gobierno de Estados Unidos dio una versión diferente inicialmente, al decir que el detenido intentó suicidarse, y luego ajustó su explicación después de preguntas de la AP.

Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid regularly checked in, lawyer says

2026-01-16

A Liberian man arrested after heavily armed immigration agents used a battering ram to break into his Minneapolis home had been checking in regularly with federal immigration authorities for years, his lawyer said Tuesday. Marc Prokosch, an attorney for Garrison Gibson, said Gibson’s arrest over the weekend violated the U.S. Constitution because the agents had only an administrative warrant.

Renee Good shooting sparks Democrats to seek limits and accountability for ICE

2026-01-16

Democrats across the United States have introduced or planned state proposals aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement after the shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, according to Associated Press reporting. Tennessee Republicans, meanwhile, introduced a package of bills backed by the White House that would enlist state agencies in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

San Jose bans ICE from using city properties for immigration enforcement

2026-01-16

San Jose’s City Council voted unanimously to bar U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, from using dozens of city properties for immigration-related operations. The measure, approved Tuesday, covers 11 city garages and parking lots and the parking areas of 75 community centers and libraries. It comes amid similar local actions in Santa Clara County and after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Oct. 6 laying out comparable rules.

Senate passes three spending bills as Homeland Security funding dispute looms

2026-01-16

Congress has cleared three annual spending bills after the Senate passed a three-bill package overwhelmingly, but lawmakers still face a dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to an Associated Press report. The Senate vote on Thursday sent the package to President Donald Trump to be signed into law, while attention turns to the next remaining bills with a deadline of Jan. 30. The debate over Homeland Security funding has intensified after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a Minnesota woman, Renee Good.

Witness describes chokehold as Texas ICE detainee death labeled homicide

2026-01-16

A Cuban immigrant died in an immigration detention facility in Texas during an altercation with guards earlier this month, and the local medical examiner has indicated the death will likely be classified as a homicide, the Associated Press reported. The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, who was 55, became the subject of conflicting accounts from U.S. agencies and detainees. The federal government said he was attempting suicide, while a witness described him being pinned and choked after he was handcuffed.

Video shows immigration agents dragging Minneapolis woman out of her car

2026-01-16

Federal immigration officers in Minneapolis dragged Aliya Rahman out of her car and detained her, a statement released by Rahman said Thursday, after a video of the arrest drew millions of views online. Rahman, a U.S. citizen on her way to a medical appointment, said she was brought to a detention center where she was denied medical care and later lost consciousness. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputed her account and said she ignored commands to move her vehicle away.

Trump threatens Insurrection Act as Minneapolis immigration protests continue

2026-01-15

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke an 1807 federal law and deploy troops to Minneapolis, where federal immigration enforcement operations have triggered protests, a second officer-involved shooting, and school closures since an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. The threat came one day after an immigration officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan man following a confrontation in which three people attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Appeals court reverses ruling that freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

2026-01-15

A federal appeals panel on Thursday reversed the lower court decision that had freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention, moving the Trump administration one step closer to detaining and potentially deporting the former Columbia University graduate student. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that a federal judge in New Jersey lacked jurisdiction to hear Khalil's constitutional challenge before his case had fully moved through the immigration court system. The panel left unresolved the central legal question of whether the administration's use of immigration law to remove Khalil over his campus activism is itself unconstitutional.

ICE agents' crowd-control tactics in Minneapolis raise training, safety concerns

2026-01-15

Federal immigration agents deployed to the Twin Cities have pointed rifles at demonstrators, deployed chemical irritants at the outset of confrontations, broken vehicle windows and pulled occupants from cars during ongoing protests, the Associated Press reported Thursday. Criminologists and former law enforcement officials said the tactics deviate from accepted crowd-management standards and risk turning volatile demonstrations into deadly encounters. The Department of Homeland Security defended the conduct as necessary to protect officers from violent attacks. Experts said agents who normally conduct arrests, deportations and criminal investigations lack the specialized training that local police departments develop for managing large public demonstrations.

Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid had been checking in regularly with authorities

2026-01-15

The attorney for a Liberian man arrested Sunday in a Minneapolis immigration raid said Tuesday his client had been meeting regularly with federal immigration authorities for years and had checked in with agents only days before they used a battering ram to break down his front door. Attorney Marc Prokosch called the arrest of Garrison Gibson, 37, a "blatant constitutional violation," saying agents carried only an administrative warrant — which authorizes an arrest but does not permit forced entry into a private home. Forced entry requires a criminal warrant signed by a judge.

Oglala Sioux president walks back ICE arrest claims; DHS denies any encounter

2026-01-15

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe issued a revised memo Thursday walking back his earlier public claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested four tribal members in Minneapolis and that federal officials had demanded an immigration agreement from the tribe in exchange for information. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it could not verify that any of its officers had arrested or even encountered members of the tribe.

Renee Good's death triggers state legislative battle over ICE enforcement

2026-01-15

State legislatures across the country advanced competing proposals on immigration enforcement Thursday following the shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, with Democratic-led states moving to restrict ICE operations and Republicans in Tennessee introducing White House-backed bills to expand enforcement cooperation. New Jersey's Democrat-led Legislature passed three bills Monday that immigrant rights groups have sought for years, including a measure prohibiting state law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy had until Tuesday, his last day in office, to sign or veto them.

San Jose bans ICE from city properties in unanimous council vote

2026-01-15

The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using 11 city-owned parking garages and lots and the parking areas of 75 community centers and libraries as staging areas or operational bases for immigration enforcement. The vote makes San Jose the latest city to restrict where federal immigration agents may operate on public property, following similar actions in Santa Clara County and Chicago, where Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order in October laying out comparable rules.

Experts call Trump's Insurrection Act threat in Minneapolis 'flagrant abuse'

2026-01-15

President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. military forces to Minneapolis, where protests have grown since a federal officer shot and killed Renee Good. Constitutional law experts said the threatened move would be without historical precedent because the federal agents Trump himself sent to the city initiated the violence he now seeks to suppress.

Minneapolis sees second federal shooting as courts, governor push back on immigration sweep

2026-01-14

A federal immigration officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle during an arrest attempt, the Department of Homeland Security said — the second shooting involving federal agents in the city since an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good seven days earlier. Smoke filled the street near the scene as officers in gas masks fired tear gas and grenades at onlookers, who threw snowballs and chanted, "Our streets."

State Dept. suspends immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries

2026-01-14

The State Department announced Wednesday it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries — including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia — effective January 21, citing concerns that applicants are likely to require U.S. public assistance. The move is grounded in a November order that tightened standards for immigrants deemed potential "public charges," and is part of a continuing effort by the Trump administration to restrict legal pathways into the country. The department said the suspension will remain in place while it reevaluates immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals expected to rely on public benefits.

Oregon immigration-stop shooting suspect pleads not guilty to assault on agent

2026-01-14

Luis David Nino-Moncada, the man shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, Oregon, last week, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault on a federal employee and damaging federal property. His public defender entered the plea on his behalf during a hearing in U.S. District Court. He was indicted on the charges Tuesday and remains in custody, with a release hearing scheduled for next week.

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of three members held in ICE detention

2026-01-14

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe called Tuesday for the immediate release of three tribal citizens held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota, arguing that enrolled tribal members are U.S. citizens who fall categorically outside federal immigration jurisdiction. Frank Star Comes Out issued the demand after ICE agents arrested four tribe members at a Minneapolis homeless encampment last Friday. One of the four has since been released.

State Dept. suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public charge concerns

2026-01-14

The State Department said Wednesday it will suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries beginning Jan. 21, citing concerns that applicants from those nations are likely to require public assistance after entering the United States. The list includes Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, along with dozens of other countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Trump administration threatens billions in federal aid to Minnesota

2026-01-14

The Trump administration has moved to freeze or withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to Minnesota, targeting programs that provide food assistance, health care, and child care to low-income families, while filing a civil lawsuit against the state over its government hiring practices, according to the Associated Press.

US apologizes for deporting Babson freshman despite court order but opposes her return

2026-01-14

The Trump administration apologized in federal court Tuesday for a 'mistake' in the deportation of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman who was removed to Honduras in November despite an emergency court order directing her to remain in the United States — but still argued the error should not affect her case or result in her return. Lopez Belloza had been detained at Boston's Logan Airport on Nov. 20 while trying to board a flight home to surprise her family for Thanksgiving.

Good family hires George Floyd law firm to investigate Minneapolis ICE killing

2026-01-14

Renee Good's family has hired the Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin — which represented George Floyd's family and helped secure a $27 million settlement — to investigate Good's death during a Minneapolis immigration enforcement operation, the firm announced Wednesday. Good, 37, a mother of three, was shot and killed by a federal deportation officer on Jan. 7. The firm said it intends to share findings "on a rolling basis" because it believes the community is not receiving adequate information elsewhere.

DOJ says no basis for criminal civil rights probe in Renee Good killing

2026-01-14

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department said Tuesday it does not believe there is currently a basis to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said “there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation,” while an FBI probe remains underway.

Trump says he will halt federal payments to sanctuary cities starting Feb. 1

2026-01-14

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that starting Feb. 1 his administration will deny federal funding to any states that have local governments sheltering people from deportation under his immigration policies. He said the move would expand on previous threats to cut off resources to “sanctuary cities” themselves. Courts have blocked similar efforts in Trump’s first term and last year.

Protester blinded in one eye after federal agent fired projectile in Santa Ana

2026-01-14

A demonstrator was hit in the face by a projectile fired by a federal officer at close range during a protest outside a federal immigration building in Santa Ana, California, leaving him bloodied and seriously injured, according to video and accounts from fellow protesters and family. The protest was held in response to the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a federal agent, which has spurred protests nationwide.

Minneapolis U.S. citizens describe ICE detention, pressure to inform on protest organizers

2026-01-13

Two Minneapolis U.S. citizens who were monitoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities said they were detained without charge Sunday, held for several hours at a federal facility on the edge of the city, and pressed by a Department of Homeland Security investigator to identify protest organizers and neighbors living in the country without legal status, the Associated Press reported. Brandon Sigüenza and Patty O'Keefe said agents pepper-sprayed their car and smashed its windows before transporting them separately to the facility; both were released without charges that evening, then subjected to chemical agents again as they exited.

Wisconsin Gov. Evers questions lieutenant governor's ICE enforcement proposal

2026-01-13

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday questioned whether his lieutenant governor's proposal to ban federal immigration enforcement near schools, hospitals and other sensitive locations was legally achievable — or politically wise. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democrat running in the state's open gubernatorial race, proposed barring civil Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions around courthouses, health clinics, daycares, schools, domestic violence shelters and houses of worship, with exceptions for judicial warrants or immediate public safety threats. Evers, who is not seeking a third term, said he was uncertain the state had the authority to act and warned that a hard prohibition could provoke a stronger federal response.

NYC Council employee arrested at asylum check-in, sparking protests and legal fight

2026-01-13

A New York City Council data analyst from Venezuela was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday at a scheduled asylum check-in on Long Island, triggering protests at the Manhattan federal building where he is being held and a sharply contested dispute over whether the detention was lawful. Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez was taken into custody at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum office in Bethpage while appearing for what Council Speaker Julie Menin described as a routine appointment that "quickly went awry." ICE confirmed the arrest and identified him by name; Menin had declined to name him publicly.

Detainee drops Alligator Alcatraz lawsuit, agrees to deportation to Chile

2026-01-13

A man held at the Florida Everglades immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" agreed to be deported to Chile and filed a motion Monday to dismiss his federal lawsuit challenging the facility, his attorneys said Tuesday. The detainee, identified in court documents only as M.A., was one of three people with active federal suits against the facility built last year at a remote Everglades airstrip by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Trump threatens to halt federal payments to sanctuary cities and their states

2026-01-13

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration will halt federal payments to sanctuary cities and all states that contain them beginning Feb. 1, expanding a campaign to use financial pressure against jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club in Michigan, Trump said he would cut off money to any state home to a local government that resists his administration's immigration policies. He did not specify which funding streams would be affected.

ICE's administrative warrants don't authorize forced home entry, legal experts say

2026-01-13

Federal immigration agents conducting arrests under the Trump administration's intensified enforcement campaign are relying primarily on administrative warrants that do not legally authorize them to force entry into private homes or businesses, legal experts said. Only criminal warrants signed by judges carry that authority — a distinction that came into sharp focus in Minneapolis, where documents reviewed by the Associated Press showed agents entered a private home with only an administrative warrant. DHS did not provide a legal justification for the entry when asked.

Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants

2026-01-13

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants, directing approximately 705 affected individuals to leave the United States by March 17, when existing protections expire. The Department of Homeland Security said the move follows its determination that conditions in Somalia have sufficiently improved to no longer meet the legal threshold for the designation. The announcement adds to a pattern of TPS terminations the administration has pursued across multiple nationalities since President Donald Trump took office.

DOJ declines civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting as prosecutors resign

2026-01-13

The Justice Department declined Tuesday to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, as roughly a half-dozen federal prosecutors in Minnesota announced their resignations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that "there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation." An FBI investigation into the killing remains ongoing.

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Minneapolis as five prosecutors resign over Renee Good case

2026-01-13

Federal officers deployed tear gas and sprayed an orange eye irritant at activists in Minneapolis on Tuesday, the sixth day of confrontations following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration agent. Students in suburban Brooklyn Park walked out of school to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign. At least five prosecutors have resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who had been leading the state's prosecution of public fraud schemes, amid controversy over how the Justice Department is handling the investigation into Good's death, according to people familiar with the matter. A Justice Department official said Wednesday there is no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation; an FBI probe remains ongoing.

EEUU suspende procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países

2026-01-13

El Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos anunció que suspenderá el procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países a partir del 21 de enero, medida que el gobierno del presidente Donald Trump vincula con evitar entradas de personas que podrían necesitar asistencia pública en el país. La suspensión no aplica a visas de no inmigrante, incluidas las de turista o negocios. La decisión llega tras una orden más amplia emitida en noviembre que endureció las reglas para posibles “cargas públicas”.

FBI says no video found of Border Patrol shooting in Portland, Oregon

2026-01-13

PORTLAND, Ore. — The FBI said it has found no surveillance or other video of a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding two people in a pickup truck during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland last week. In a court document made public Monday, the FBI said agents reported that one of their colleagues fired after the driver repeatedly rammed a rental car and put the truck in reverse.

Federal immigration agents face backlash over private property raids

2026-01-13

Federal immigration agents are facing renewed backlash as high-profile arrests, including in Minneapolis, have raised questions about when officers can enter private property to make an arrest. At the center of the debate is a distinction between administrative warrants issued by immigration authorities and judicial warrants signed by judges. When agents have only an administrative warrant, legal experts say federal officers generally cannot forcibly enter homes or other nonpublic spaces without consent.

Federal officer shoots man in leg after Minneapolis arrest attack

2026-01-13

Federal officers in Minneapolis said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and a broom handle while trying to make an arrest. The incident happened Wednesday, after months of clashes tied to an immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where officials say protests and confrontations with federal agents have become more frequent.

Man shot during Portland, Oregon, immigration stop pleads not guilty

2026-01-13

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2026 — Luis David Nino-Moncada, who was shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of assault on a federal employee and damaging federal property. His public defender entered the plea on Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Oglala Sioux Tribe president urges release of Minneapolis ICE detainees

2026-01-13

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe called Tuesday for the immediate release of three Oglala Sioux tribal citizens detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, after the tribe said they were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling. Frank Star Comes Out said in a statement that only one of the four tribal members arrested last week at a homeless encampment has been released.

Renee Good’s family hires George Floyd law firm to seek ICE shooting answers

2026-01-13

Renee Good’s family hired the Chicago law firm Romanucci & Blandin to investigate her death in Minneapolis after an encounter with federal immigration officers, according to a statement from the family released Wednesday. The family said the firm will seek information and accountability, including answers about what officers were doing on Jan. 7 and what happened during and after the shooting.

U.S. apologizes for deporting Massachusetts student despite court order

2026-01-13

The U.S. government apologized in federal court for a “mistake” in the deportation of a Massachusetts college student who was detained while trying to fly home for Thanksgiving, according to a government statement in the case. The government said the error did not have to affect the legal outcome even after acknowledging it violated a judge’s order.

US citizens arrested by ICE in Minneapolis describe detention conditions

2026-01-13

Two U.S. citizens who said they were observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis described being detained without charges for several hours at a highly restricted federal facility and pressured to provide information about protest organizers and people they said were in the country illegally. Brandon Sigüenza and Patty O’Keefe spoke with The Associated Press about what they said happened during Sunday stops by federal agents.

US to pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries

2026-01-13

The U.S. Department of State said it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, starting Jan. 21, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten entry rules tied to public assistance. The suspension will cover countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, and State Department officials said the pause is tied to a broader order issued in November that tightened “public charge” screening.

Five years after Floyd, Good shooting videos prove harder to interpret, experts say

2026-01-12

Video of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 has proven inconclusive on whether Good's vehicle struck Ross before he opened fire, according to independent analyses by the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times — and media ethics scholars say that ambiguity, combined with the spread of AI-generated fake images and a more fragmented public, has allowed sharply divergent narratives to take hold where the 2020 footage of George Floyd's death left little room for dispute. The Trump administration moved quickly after the shooting to frame it in terms favorable to the officer, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's characterization of Good as a domestic terrorist and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused the administration of lying.

New DHS video shows minutes before ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis

2026-01-12

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a 3½-minute bystander video Sunday showing what happened in the minutes before a federal immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good during an enforcement operation on a snowy Minneapolis street. The video, published on X, shows Good's red SUV partially blocking a road while she repeatedly pressed the horn, two vehicles eventually passing, and federal officers approaching her car — then going dark moments before previously released footage documents the fatal shooting.

FBI finds no video of Border Patrol shooting that wounded two in Portland, Oregon

2026-01-12

Federal investigators said Monday they found no surveillance footage or body-camera recordings of a Border Patrol agent shooting two people in a Portland, Oregon, parking lot last Thursday during an immigration enforcement operation, as prosecutors charged the driver with aggravated assault and property damage. None of the six agents present was recording body-camera footage, and the FBI has uncovered no surveillance video from the scene, according to a court affidavit filed Monday. The driver, Luis David Nino-Moncada, appeared in federal court Monday afternoon and was ordered held in detention pending a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Congress members blocked from Minneapolis ICE facility after DHS reinstates access ban

2026-01-12

Three Democratic members of Congress were blocked from visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Minneapolis on Saturday after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem secretly reinstated a congressional access restriction one day after an ICE officer fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Good in the city, attorneys for the lawmakers said. U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig were initially allowed to enter the ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building before officials told them to leave roughly 10 minutes later, citing a newly imposed seven-day notice requirement for oversight visits. Attorneys for several congressional Democrats asked U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., on Monday to hold an emergency hearing on whether the reinstated policy violates a December court order. Cobb scheduled the hearing for Wednesday.

Minnesota, Twin Cities sue Trump administration over fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-12

Minnesota, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration seeking to halt an immigration enforcement operation that has included mass arrests, repeated deployment of tear gas, and the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer five days earlier. State Attorney General Keith Ellison filed the suit against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging violations of the First Amendment and other constitutional protections. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation.

Detainee in Florida “Alligator Alcatraz” case agrees to removal

2026-01-12

A federal detainee at a remote Florida detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” has agreed to be removed from the United States, ending one of three pending federal court challenges to the facility, attorneys said. The detainee, identified in court documents only as M.A., asked a U.S. federal court in Fort Myers to dismiss his case on Monday.

Evers questions lieutenant governor’s plan to limit ICE near schools, courts

2026-01-12

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he is questioning whether the state should ban federal immigration enforcement actions near courthouses, schools, child care centers and other locations, a proposal from his lieutenant governor. Sara Rodriguez, the Democratic lieutenant governor running to succeed Evers, laid out the plan Monday, with exceptions for a judicial warrant or an immediate threat to public safety.

Minneapolis church holds ‘Lament and Hope’ service after ICE shooting

2026-01-12

Minneapolis’ St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church held a special Sunday service called “Lament and Hope” amid fears in immigrant communities after a woman was fatally shot by an immigration officer, the Associated Press reported. The church’s pastor, Rev. Hierald Osorto, led prayers and worship as immigration enforcement activity continued in the area.

NYC Council employee’s immigration arrest sparks protests and court fight

2026-01-12

A New York City Council employee was arrested Monday at a scheduled immigration check-in and held at a federal building in Manhattan, prompting protests and a court bid for his release. The employee, identified in a habeas corpus petition as Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, is described by his attorneys as a Venezuelan asylum-seeker. Immigration authorities said he overstayed a tourist visa and lacked legal right to remain and work in the United States.

Tensions flare in Minnesota as federal agents and protesters square off

2026-01-12

Federal officers used tear gas and sprayed an eye irritant at activists during confrontations in Minneapolis on Tuesday, and students later walked out of a suburban school to protest the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps, according to a report by the Associated Press. The demonstrations were part of an escalating standoff that began after a Minneapolis woman, Renee Good, was shot by an immigration agent.

Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status for Somalis

2026-01-12

The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, setting a March 17 deadline for people covered by the program to leave the United States. The decision applies to “hundreds of people,” a small subset of Somali migrants living in the country with TPS protections, the Department of Homeland Security said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the change puts “Americans first,” and that “Temporary means temporary.”

Video posted by DHS shows minutes before officer shot Renee Good

2026-01-12

A new 3 1/2-minute video posted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on X shows minutes before a federal immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The footage, filmed by a bystander, was posted Sunday and has added context to a national debate over whether the officer acted in self-defense or recklessly.

Judge to temporarily block Trump administration end of Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-12

BOSTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts said Friday she expects to temporarily block efforts by the Trump administration to end a parole program that offers temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said at a hearing that she planned to issue a temporary restraining order but did not say when it would be issued.

Judge to temporarily block Trump administration from ending Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-11

A federal judge in Boston said Friday she expects to temporarily block the Trump administration’s effort to end Family Reunification Parole, a program that grants temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said at a hearing she planned to issue a temporary restraining order, and questioned whether the government gave affected people written notice when it ended the program.

Minneapolis church holds 'Lament and Hope' service as ICE enforcement grips city

2026-01-11

A Minneapolis Lutheran church opened its doors Sunday for a special service called "Lament and Hope," drawing worshippers from its largely immigrant congregation days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a woman in the surrounding neighborhood. The Rev. Hierald Osorto, pastor of St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church, welcomed a crowd seated on wooden benches as immigration enforcement officers drove through the streets outside, detaining people while activists beat drums and blew whistles in response.

Federal agents ram Minneapolis door, pepper-spray protesters in immigration sweep

2026-01-11

Federal immigration agents rammed the door of a Minneapolis home Sunday and forced their way inside after pepper-spraying protesters who had gathered outside, according to video recorded by The Associated Press. A man was handcuffed and led away within minutes, arrested using a document signed by an immigration officer — not a court-issued warrant — which does not authorize forced entry into a private residence under federal law.

5 years after Floyd and Good videos, confusion over images persists

2026-01-11

In Minneapolis, video footage from two different police killings — George Floyd in 2020 and Renee Good in 2025 — continues to shape public arguments about law enforcement and immigration. Five years after the Floyd video helped spark a major protest movement, new images released in the Good case have intensified disputes over what the videos show and how they should be interpreted, according to experts interviewed by the Associated Press.

Democrats ask judge to order access to Minneapolis ICE facility

2026-01-11

Lawyers for several Democratic members of Congress asked a federal judge to hold an emergency hearing after the Trump administration blocked lawmakers from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis. The request follows a Minneapolis-area shooting in which an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, lawyers said.

Minnesota and Twin Cities sue federal government after fatal Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-11

Minnesota and its two largest cities sued the Trump administration Monday, seeking court limits on an immigration enforcement surge they say followed the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer. State Attorney General Keith Ellison said the enforcement action is unconstitutional and must stop, while the Department of Homeland Security said the effort is lawful and that it has a constitutional defense. The legal challenge comes as protests and tensions continued in Minneapolis days after the shooting.

Venezuelan migrants in the US celebrate Maduro’s ouster but fear deportations

2026-01-11

Venezuelan migrants in the United States voiced mixed reactions after the Trump administration ousted President Nicolás Maduro in a late-night military raid, with some expressing relief while others worried about the future for their families. Alejandra Salima, a Venezuelan advocate in the Miami area, said the removal is “a first step, but we’re nervous,” citing fears that returning could endanger her and her son.

Congress weighs response to ICE killing of Minnesota woman Renee Good

2026-01-10

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats and at least one Republican senator called Saturday for investigations and policy changes following the shooting death of Renee Good, a Minnesota woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer after she dropped off her 6-year-old child at school. Democratic leaders said the death was prompting what House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York described as "a strong and forceful and appropriate response."

Thousands march across US after ICE shootings in Minneapolis, Portland

2026-01-10

Thousands of people marched in Minneapolis on Saturday to protest the fatal shooting of a woman by a federal immigration officer, as hundreds of similar demonstrations were held in cities and towns across the country. The nationwide protests followed the killing of Renee Good, 37, by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday and the shooting of two people — who were not protesters — in Portland, Oregon. Minnesota's governor and mayor urged demonstrators to remain peaceful.

Anti-ICE protesters march nationwide after shootings in Minneapolis and Portland

2026-01-10

Thousands marched in Minneapolis and other U.S. cities on Saturday to protest shootings in Minnesota and Oregon involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the Associated Press. The protests followed the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis and the shooting of two people in Portland, Oregon, AP reported.

Congress weighs ICE consequences after Minnesota woman’s killing

2026-01-10

Congress is debating possible consequences for Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a Minnesota woman, Renee Good, was killed in a shooting involving an ICE officer, as Democrats and some Republicans call for an assertive response to the Trump administration’s deportation operations. Lawmakers are weighing actions that range from investigating Good’s death to changing how ICE conducts raids, and some Democrats have also raised impeachment or funding restrictions for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Judge to temporarily block Trump plan to end Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-10

A federal judge in Massachusetts said Friday she expects to temporarily block the Trump administration’s plan to end Family Reunification Parole, a program that has provided temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she planned to issue a temporary restraining order after a hearing, but did not say when it would take effect.

ICE agents shoot two outside Portland hospital; Oregon AG vows probe

2026-01-09

Federal immigration agents shot and wounded two people in a vehicle near Adventist Health hospital in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, authorities said, drawing hundreds of protesters to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building that evening and prompting Oregon's attorney general to open a formal investigation. The Department of Homeland Security said agents were conducting a "targeted vehicle stop" when the driver tried to run them over, and that an agent then fired a "defensive shot." There was no immediate independent corroboration of that account or of the agency's claims about the vehicle occupants' affiliations, the Associated Press reported. The shooting came a day after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Wife of woman killed by ICE agent in Minneapolis: 'We had whistles. They had guns'

2026-01-09

The wife of Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, issued her first public statement Friday, describing the couple as having stopped to support their neighbors on the day of the shooting and memorializing Renee Good as a woman of kindness. "We had whistles. They had guns," Becca Good wrote in a statement provided to Minnesota Public Radio. It was her first public comment since her wife's death Wednesday.

Minneapolis schools offer remote learning as ICE enforcement tensions rise

2026-01-09

The Minneapolis school district said Friday it will offer families the option of remote learning through Feb. 12, responding to fears among students and parents following a week of intensifying federal immigration enforcement in the city. The decision came after a federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, described by the Associated Press as a U.S. citizen and mother of three, on Wednesday, and immigration enforcement agents detained someone outside Roosevelt High School near dismissal time the same day. Minneapolis public schools, a district of nearly 30,000 students, closed Thursday and Friday.

Federal authorities bar Minnesota from ICE shooting probe, claim no state jurisdiction

2026-01-09

A day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good, 37, in Minneapolis, federal authorities on Thursday blocked Minnesota state investigators from accessing evidence in the case and declared the state has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing. The FBI told Minnesota law enforcement officials they would not be allowed to participate in the investigation or review key evidence, according to the Associated Press. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged federal officials to reconsider, warning that public statements by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal leaders risked undermining confidence in the investigation's fairness.

New ICE officer video raises use-of-force questions in Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-09

A 47-second video recorded from the perspective of ICE officer Jonathan Ross emerged Friday, showing his approach to Renee Good's vehicle in the moments before he shot and killed her during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis — and prompting Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to call on the public to submit any recordings and evidence to investigators. The footage showed Ross holding both a firearm and a cellphone simultaneously as he circled Good's SUV, a detail that policing experts said raised immediate questions about officer training.

Records identify Minneapolis ICE shooter as Iraq War veteran Jonathan Ross

2026-01-09

The federal agent who shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 is Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old Iraq War veteran with nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Federal officials declined to publicly name Ross, citing safety concerns for him and his family, but a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was referring to Ross when she said the agent had been dragged by a vehicle the previous June.

Federal officers leave Louisiana immigration operation for Minneapolis

2026-01-09

Federal immigration officers stationed in Louisiana are departing for Minneapolis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press, in an abrupt pivot from a months-long enforcement sweep that drew protests around New Orleans and had targeted 5,000 arrests. Documents indicated that officers were continuing to leave Louisiana for Minneapolis late in the week ending Jan. 9. The shift appeared to signal a wind-down of the Louisiana deployment, known as "Catahoula Crunch," which began in December with more than 200 officers and had been expected to last into February.

Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts dispute over state probe, immunity

2026-01-09

Federal authorities blocked Minnesota investigators from accessing evidence after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, escalating a dispute over whether the state has jurisdiction to investigate or prosecute the killing. The shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good occurred Wednesday, federal officials said, and by Thursday the FBI told Minnesota law enforcement they would not be allowed to participate in the investigation or review key evidence.

North Carolina faces $50M funding loss over flawed immigrant trucker licenses

2026-01-08

The U.S. Transportation Department warned North Carolina on Thursday that the state could lose nearly $50 million in federal funding unless it revokes commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants who are not qualified to hold them. A federal review of 50 such licenses found problems with more than half, and 924 unexpired licenses of this type remain active in the state.

Vance calls Minneapolis woman's ICE shooting death 'a tragedy of her own making'

2026-01-08

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday blamed a Minneapolis woman's fatal shooting by a federal immigration officer on "a left-wing network," Democrats, the news media, and the woman herself, appearing at the White House briefing room as protests over her killing spread to cities across the country. Vance called the death of 37-year-old Renee Good — shot Wednesday while trying to drive away during an immigration enforcement operation on a snowy residential Minneapolis street — "a tragedy of her own making."

ICE killing of Minneapolis woman deepens Minnesota's conflict with Trump

2026-01-08

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, during a protest against immigration raids in Minneapolis on Wednesday, the latest and most violent confrontation in a mounting conflict between the Trump administration and Minnesota. Good was killed just blocks from where a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in 2020 — a geographic proximity that drew painful comparisons to the disorder that followed Floyd's death. The Trump administration had announced the previous day that it was sending more than 2,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in what it claimed would be the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history.

Protests erupt in Minneapolis as officials dispute jurisdiction in fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-08

Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday outside a Minneapolis federal building being used as a base for the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation, a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, a U.S. citizen, in a residential neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis. Border Patrol officers responded with tear gas and pepper spray to push demonstrators back from the gate. Area schools were closed as a safety precaution.

Fabricated images and false names spread online after ICE shooting in Minneapolis

2026-01-08

Fabricated and misrepresented images spread widely on social media in the hours after Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Wednesday, the Associated Press reported Thursday. The wave of false content included AI-generated images purporting to show the masked officer's face, photographs of unrelated women falsely identified as Good, a tattoo image from a video posted two days before the shooting, and a misrepresented clip of Florida's governor.

Minneapolis ICE shooting renews debate over lethal force rules for moving vehicles

2026-01-08

An ICE agent fatally shot a Minneapolis woman during an immigration enforcement operation Wednesday, reviving a debate over when law enforcement officers may legally use lethal force against someone in a moving vehicle. The woman, identified by family members as Renee Nicole Good, 37, died after being shot in a confrontation captured on cellphone video. The killing drew immediate and conflicting responses from federal authorities, who defended the agent's actions, and local officials, who questioned whether deadly force was justified.

Minneapolis protests erupt over ICE killing of Renee Good as Portland shooting draws scrutiny

2026-01-08

Hundreds of people marched through Minneapolis in freezing rain Thursday night, chanting "ICE out now" and demanding accountability after a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, 37, a mother of three, the day before. A second shooting by federal agents outside a Portland, Oregon, hospital wounded two people on the same day, escalating national attention on the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations across the country. Good's death occurred on the second day of what the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in history, involving more than 2,000 officers deployed to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said officers had made more than 1,500 arrests. Minnesota state investigators said Thursday they had been shut out of the probe into Good's death after the FBI and the Justice Department declined to cooperate with the state, setting off a dispute over accountability that Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called unacceptable.

Family mourns Renee Good, U.S. citizen and mother shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis

2026-01-08

Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and U.S. citizen born in Colorado, was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Wednesday while seated in her vehicle on a Minneapolis street. On Thursday, family members, friends, and neighbors mourned a woman they described as gentle, kind, and devoted to her children, even as Trump administration officials continued to characterize Good as a domestic terrorist who had attempted to ram federal agents with her car. Good had dropped off her youngest child at an elementary school in Minneapolis that morning before the encounter. Bystander video posted to social media shows an ICE officer approaching her Honda Pilot, demanding she open the door and grabbing the handle; when she began to pull forward, a second officer standing in front of the vehicle fired at least two shots into the car at close range. The entire incident was over in less than 10 seconds.

Duffy says $160M withheld from California over delayed revocations

2026-01-08

California will lose $160 million in federal transportation funding after federal officials said the state delayed revoking about 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to some immigrants, the officials announced Wednesday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he had already withheld $40 million and accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of failing to meet safety requirements.

Federal immigration officers leave Louisiana for Minneapolis, documents show

2026-01-08

Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana immigration crackdown and heading to Minneapolis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The shift comes as the Trump administration surges federal officers to Minnesota for a large enforcement operation. The documents describe the change as an abrupt pivot from a deployment that triggered protests around New Orleans.

ICE officer who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis is a military veteran

2026-01-08

Federal records reviewed by The Associated Press say the ICE officer who shot and killed a driver in Minneapolis on Wednesday is a U.S. Army and law enforcement veteran who has worked for Border Patrol and ICE for nearly two decades. The officer, Jonathan Ross, was seriously injured last summer after being dragged by a vehicle as he led efforts to arrest a man in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Minneapolis schools offer monthlong remote option amid federal immigration tensions

2026-01-08

Minneapolis school officials said Friday they will give families the option of remote learning for a month, after growing concerns that federal immigration enforcement could make some children feel unsafe getting to campus. The district said teachers will deliver lessons simultaneously in classrooms and to students at home.

Minnesota prosecutor asks for footage as ICE shooting video resurfaces

2026-01-08

A Minnesota prosecutor asked the public on Friday to share any recordings and evidence related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, as a new video circulated showing the incident from an immigration officer’s perspective. The video, released online by a Minnesota-based conservative news site and reposted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, depicts the final moments of Good’s encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross.

Minneapolis woman shot by immigration officer is fifth death in U.S. crackdown

2026-01-08

A woman in Minneapolis was fatally shot by an immigration officer Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, in what the news agency said was at least the fifth death linked to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown launched last year. The Department of Homeland Security said the officer fired in self-defense as the 37-year-old tried to run down officers with her vehicle.

Wife of Renee Good, shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis, describes her in statement

2026-01-08

Becca Good, the wife of Renee Good, who was shot and killed in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent this week, said in a written statement that she and her husband had “stopped to support their neighbors” the day of the shooting. “We had whistles. They had guns,” Becca Good said. Video taken by bystanders shows an officer approaching Renee Good’s SUV and demanding the driver open the door before an ICE officer fires at close range, according to the Associated Press.

Video shows Minnesota ICE shooting; experts question tactics used

2026-01-08

Federal officers in Minneapolis shot and killed Renee Good after a Honda SUV moved toward an ICE agent, according to federal officials and videos captured by bystanders, but policing experts said the officer’s actions appear to run counter to widely taught use-of-force practices. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the incident as an “act of domestic terrorism,” while President Donald Trump said the officer acted in self-defense.

ICE officer shoots and kills Minneapolis woman during immigration enforcement

2026-01-07

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis woman Wednesday morning during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, the Associated Press reported. Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, was shot in the head in a snowy residential neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis after 9:30 a.m. The shooting was recorded on video by bystanders, and it drew immediate conflicting accounts from federal and local officials.

Minneapolis ICE shooting is at least the fifth death in US immigration crackdown

2026-01-07

An immigration officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, in Minneapolis on Wednesday in what the Department of Homeland Security described as a self-defense shooting — at least the fifth death linked to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations since last year, the Associated Press reported. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video of the incident showed it was reckless and unnecessary.

UC grad workers seek $750,000 legal fund for international employees amid visa uncertainty

2026-01-07

The union representing 48,000 teaching assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate student researchers at University of California campuses is asking the university to establish a $750,000 legal fund to help international employees navigate visa and immigration complications — a demand reflecting growing anxiety among the roughly 40 percent of UAW Local 4811's membership who come from outside the United States. The fund request is part of contract negotiations with the university ahead of the current agreement's Jan. 31 expiration date. Union negotiators are also asking UC to continue paying researchers temporarily stranded abroad by visa problems and to reimburse members for visa-related fees.

California loses $160M in federal funds over delay in revoking immigrant trucking licenses

2026-01-07

Federal transportation officials announced Wednesday that California will forfeit $160 million in highway funding after the state delayed the revocation of 17,000 commercial driver's licenses that federal auditors found were issued unlawfully to immigrants. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state had promised to complete the revocations by Jan. 5 but instead postponed action until March after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.

Trump immigration policies, lower fertility to slow US population growth, CBO says

2026-01-07

The U.S. population will grow by only 15 million people over the next 30 years — a smaller gain than previously projected — because of President Donald Trump's immigration restrictions and an expected long-term decline in the fertility rate, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. The nonpartisan agency projected the nation's population will rise from 349 million in 2026 to 364 million by 2056, a 2.2% smaller increase than it had forecast in 2025. Without immigration, the U.S. population would begin to shrink by 2030, when deaths would start to exceed births.

What to know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

2026-01-07

A woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, setting off clashes between federal and state officials over the investigation and whether the shooting was justified. The incident occurred after federal authorities had dispatched additional officers and agents to Minnesota as part of an immigration crackdown, the Associated Press reported.

Fact check: Minneapolis shooting claims and fabricated images online are false

2026-01-07

Misrepresented and fabricated images spread online after a fatal Minneapolis shooting in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killed Renee Good, Associated Press reported. The images circulated with false claims about the officer’s identity, whether he had a Nazi tattoo, and whether other people shown in photos or videos were involved.

Groups say records show U.S. plans to reimburse “Alligator Alcatraz”

2026-01-07

Federal and state officials withheld evidence, environmental groups say, in a fight over a Florida immigration detention center in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The groups, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, said newly obtained emails and documents show officials had discussed and approved federal reimbursement before a lower-court judge ordered the facility to wind down.

Minnesota becomes target as Trump’s immigration crackdown draws protests

2026-01-07

Federal immigration enforcement officers sent to Minneapolis and St. Paul have opened fire during a protest, killing Renee Good in a case that Associated Press described as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign targeting Democratic-led states. The killing and the broader operation have raised comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd, and Gov. Tim Walz urged Trump to “leave our state alone.”

Minneapolis shooting renews scrutiny of policies on lethal force in moving vehicles

2026-01-07

A federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis after she was seen using her vehicle during an incident on Wednesday, reigniting scrutiny of when police may use lethal force against drivers in motion. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the officer followed training and acted in self defense and to protect fellow officers.

Minneapolis officials urge calm after fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good

2026-01-07

Hundreds of people protested in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of Renee Good on Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, officials and federal agencies said. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local leaders urged calm while calling for a federal investigation and rejecting claims that Good used her vehicle as a weapon.

Trump administration launches major immigration operation in Minnesota

2026-01-07

Homeland Security on Tuesday said it launched what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out by the department, with about 2,000 federal officers and agents expected to arrive in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The operation is tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents, and it has triggered protests and warnings of heightened political and community tensions in Minnesota.

UC Berkeley enrolls 29% more new international students despite visa worries

2026-01-07

UC Berkeley enrolled 29% more new international students this school year than the prior year, a reversal of a nationwide decline tied to immigration enforcement concerns, according to University of California data released Thursday. The university said it saw no major impact from federal immigration crackdowns that have deterred some foreign students from studying in the United States.

US expands visa bonds to citizens of 38 countries, up to $15,000

2026-01-07

The U.S. State Department said it is adding 25 countries to a visa “bond” list, raising the number of countries whose citizens must post bonds to 38. The bonds can range from $5,000 to $15,000, and the latest additions will take effect Jan. 21, according to a notice posted on the travel.state.gov website.

Vance blames “left-wing network” after ICE officer kills Minneapolis woman

2026-01-07

Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that a federal immigration officer’s fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good was “a tragedy of her own making,” as protests spread to other cities. He made the comments in the White House briefing room and on social media, during a continuing investigation into the Wednesday incident.

Woman fatally shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis; family and officials mourn

2026-01-07

Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, according to the Associated Press. Family members and neighbors are mourning her, while state and local officials and protesters have rejected the Trump administration’s characterization of the encounter. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video recordings show the self-defense argument is “garbage.”

Trump administration expands visa bond list to 38 countries, mostly in Africa

2026-01-07

The State Department on Tuesday added 25 more countries to its visa bond list, bringing the total to 38 nations whose passport holders must post financial guarantees of up to $15,000 to apply for entry to the United States, according to a notice posted on the agency's travel.state.gov website. The bond requirement for the newly added countries takes effect Jan. 21. Most of the 38 countries on the list are in Africa, with others in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

De La Cruz proposes construction worker visa as ICE arrests slow South Texas building

2026-01-06

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, an Edinburg Republican, announced Monday she would seek a new federal visa category for construction workers after South Texas builders told her that immigration enforcement arrests had halted job sites and threatened the regional industry. De La Cruz said she plans to meet with the U.S. Department of Labor to explore a program modeled on the H-2A agricultural visa. "We'd like to see where the construction industry would fit," she said.

Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda reach asylum-deal deals with U.S.

2026-01-06

The United States reached a deal with Dominica to begin sending some asylum-seekers to the Caribbean island, a day after the Trump administration expanded visa restrictions to include Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the arrangement follows partial U.S. visa limits and that the discussions included “careful deliberations” to avoid admitting violent people or those who would “compromise the security of Dominica.”

EEUU casi triplica países con fianzas de hasta US$15.000 para visas

2026-01-06

Estados Unidos amplió de nuevo la lista de países cuyos ciudadanos deberán pagar fianzas de hasta 15.000 dólares para solicitar visas estadounidenses. Menos de una semana después de añadir siete países, el Departamento de Estado incluyó 25 más, y el requisito comenzará a regir el 21 de enero. La medida implica que 38 países —principalmente en África, pero también en América Latina y Asia— están ahora sujetos a este requisito, que no garantiza la aprobación de la visa.

Florida awaits federal sign-off for a third immigration detention center

2026-01-06

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is awaiting federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Panhandle. He said DeSantis also was looking into a potential fourth facility in South Florida, adding to the state’s existing detention sites nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades and “Deportation Depot” in northeast Florida.

HHS can resume limited Medicaid data sharing with ICE after ruling

2026-01-06

A federal judge cleared the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to resume sharing limited personal data of certain Medicaid enrollees with immigration enforcement officers starting Monday. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco is a setback for 22 states that had sued the administration over privacy concerns.

Hilton apologizes after Minnesota Hampton Inn canceled ICE agents’ rooms

2026-01-06

A Minnesota hotel under the Hilton brand apologized after canceling reservations for federal immigration agents this month, saying the refusal violated its own policies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted screenshots of an email it said came from a Hilton address canceling the bookings at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property about 20 miles south of Minneapolis.

ICE officer kills Minneapolis driver amid Trump immigration crackdown

2026-01-06

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis driver on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown, AP reported. Federal officials said the shooting was an act of self-defense, while the city’s mayor called it reckless and unnecessary.

Texas lawmaker explores visa for construction workers amid ICE raids

2026-01-06

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Texas Republican, said Monday she is looking at ways for migrant construction workers to work legally, including by urging the U.S. Department of Labor to help design a special visa program. De La Cruz’s proposal follows concern from South Texas builders that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests at job sites have disrupted projects.

Trump administration adds 7 countries to visa bond list, up to $15,000

2026-01-06

The Trump administration has added seven countries to a U.S. visa program that requires some applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000 before receiving visas, the State Department said. The designations, posted on the travel.state.gov website, took effect Jan. 1 and expanded the list to 13 countries. The changes were announced days after the State Department began tightening other entry requirements, including in-person interviews and disclosures tied to applicants’ social media histories and travel and living arrangements.

Minnesota hotel and Hilton apologize after ICE agents' reservations canceled

2026-01-06

A Hampton Inn franchise in Lakeville, Minn., about 20 miles south of Minneapolis, canceled reservations for federal immigration agents and informed them they would not be permitted to stay at the property, according to screenshots posted on social media by the Department of Homeland Security. Hilton and the property's local operator, Everpeak Hospitality, each issued apologies within hours, saying the cancellation violated their policies.

Court allows HHS to resume limited Medicaid data sharing with ICE

2026-01-05

A federal judge ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services may resume sharing limited personal data from Medicaid enrollees with federal deportation officials as of Monday, setting strict boundaries on what information can be transferred. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco ruled last week that after a temporary court order expired Jan. 5, HHS may hand over only "basic biographical, location and contact information" about immigrants residing in the United States illegally to Immigration and Customs Enforcement — but may not transfer detailed medical records or data about U.S. citizens and legal immigrants in the 22 states that brought suit.

Trump administration expands visa bond list to 13 countries, most in Africa

2026-01-05

The Trump administration quietly expanded a program requiring visa applicants from certain countries to post cash bonds of up to $15,000 before entering the United States, the State Department announced, adding seven nations to a list that now totals 13 — 11 of them in Africa. The designations took effect January 1 and make U.S. visa access financially out of reach for many would-be visitors from the newly designated nations, according to the Associated Press.

Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda reach deals with US to accept asylum-seekers

2026-01-05

Two small Caribbean island nations, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, agreed Monday to accept asylum-seekers from the United States under separate arrangements with the Trump administration. Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described his country's agreement as "one of the primary areas of collaboration" with Washington, which recently imposed partial U.S. visa restrictions on both island nations. Antigua and Barbuda signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding; local officials said the island would not accept anyone with a criminal record.

Minnesota ends state health coverage for 15,000 undocumented adult immigrants

2026-01-02

About 15,000 adult immigrants living in Minnesota without legal status lost access to MinnesotaCare, the state's subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents, on Jan. 1, 2026, after a divided state Legislature voted last year to strip benefits that Democrats had extended in 2023. The rollback took effect at midnight despite protests from Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers who had championed the original expansion as a progressive milestone.

Trump drops for now plan to deploy National Guard to Chicago, LA, Portland

2026-01-02

Donald Trump said he has abandoned for now his plan to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland after legal obstacles blocked the effort, the Associated Press reported. In a post on social media on Wednesday, Trump said, “Regresaremos, quizás de una forma mucho más diferente y fuerte, cuando la delincuencia vuelva a dispararse... Sólo es cuestión de tiempo.”

Faith leaders brace immigrant communities for harsher Trump immigration push

2026-01-01

Faith leaders who minister to immigrant communities in the United States said many targeted groups are bracing for a harsher year as President Donald Trump pursues tougher immigration policies and language. They cited fears spanning Haitians in legal limbo in Ohio, Afghan refugees facing new restrictions, and Somali Americans in Minnesota after Trump’s contemptuous remarks.

Federal investigations in Minnesota focus on alleged day care fraud linked to Somali residents

2025-12-31

Federal agents stepped up enforcement in Minnesota, focusing on new allegations of fraud by some Somali-run day care centers in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel said the investigations target alleged large-scale fraud schemes involving federal programs. The action follows previous fraud cases in Minnesota, including a COVID-era Medicaid-linked scheme.

California delays revoking 17,000 commercial drivers’ licenses until March

2025-12-31

California will delay revoking 17,000 commercial drivers’ licenses until March, the state said Tuesday, after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit challenging the process. The move comes after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he could withhold $160 million if California misses a Jan. 5 deadline tied to enforcing federal requirements.

ICE won’t detain Abrego Garcia again while judge’s order holds

2025-12-31

U.S. immigration officials do not plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as a federal judge’s order barring it remains in effect, according to a court filing. The decision is part of the continuing legal fight after Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported and later returned to the United States, where the administration has accused him of human smuggling tied to a claim he has said is false.

Judge halts Trump plan to end temporary protected status for South Sudanese

2025-12-31

A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the Trump administration from starting deportations tied to a move to end Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese immigrants, while the court considers whether the change is unlawful. The decision keeps in place protections for about 300 people living in the U.S. under the program, or with pending applications, until a final ruling. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the order.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump move to end protected status for South Sudanese

2025-12-30

A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s move to revoke Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese immigrants, preventing the government from starting deportations while the case is decided. The lawsuit, filed in late December, argued the change violates administrative procedure and the Constitution. Judge Angel Kelley wrote that the revocation could cause irreversible harm.

Federal officers expand Minnesota probe after allegations at Somali-run day cares

2025-12-30

The Trump administration said federal investigators are increasing operations in Minnesota, focusing on alleged fraud by day care centers run by Somali residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the surge after a right-wing influencer posted a video alleging up to $100 million in fraud. The move comes as prosecutors and regulators have pursued fraud cases in Minnesota involving state and federally funded programs for years.

Homeland Security says it is probing fraud in Minneapolis

2025-12-30

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal officials were conducting a fraud investigation in Minneapolis on Monday, as part of a broader push against alleged abuse of federal programs. The investigation follows earlier Minnesota cases tied to the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, and it comes amid heightened state-federal enforcement tensions during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

ICE won’t re-detain Abrego Garcia while ban order remains in effect

2025-12-30

U.S. immigration officials said they do not plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as a judge’s order banning that action remains in place, according to a Tuesday court filing. The case has become a focal point in the administration’s immigration enforcement after Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and later ordered returned to the United States.